Saving Money Staying Cool

As hot summer weather has arrived in many places, it seems like a good time to review ways to save money while staying cool this summer.  Keep in mind that people and pets need to stay cool (especially older persons) and if you live in a part of the country where it gets hot occasionally and many houses and buildings do not have air conditioning, be sure to check in on anyone that might need some assistance. Here are some ways to keep cooling costs down:

–Turn it off — not the air conditioning, but other heat generating items like lights, computers, and other electrical equipment or electronics. This will not only keep things cooler, it will help keep the rooms cooler.

–Be efficient with cooking — crockpots (including placing it in the garage), microwaves, or grills are good, as are quick stir frys and salads.  Items that take a long time roasting in the oven should best be saved for cooler weather.

--Conduct an air conditioning audit — air conditioning is one of the biggest uses of electricity for a household. Making sure windows and doors seal properly, units are upgraded to energy efficient models and serviced regularly.

–Make good use of shade trees and ventilation — in some areas, the temperature cools down considerably at night, with proper use of cross ventilation and fans, you can cool a place down quickly in the evening.

--Use shutters and light paint to keep the house cool — draw the curtains or shutters to block strong sunlight and make sure paint and roofing materials are light colored to reduce heat absorption.

–Keep water and ice in the fridge — to cool down, make sure you have ample chilled water and ice. Cold compresses to the neck can make you feel cooler quickly if you are outside running around or doing yardwork.

shared at Frugal Friday