Hi Everyone!
Can you believe it's summer already? Here in the desert, it's hot, hot, hot, and unfortunately, it's going to stay hot for quite a long time. When you're living with triple-digit temperatures, it's so tempting to crank up the air conditioning and enjoy a nice cool home. I know if Hubby had his way, the thermostat would be set no higher than 75 degrees!
I don't like to keep the house that cold, but it's hard to get anything done around the house when it's too warm. On the other hand, I hate dealing with high electric bills! To keep our utility bills from skyrocketing, I've had to find other ways to keep our home relatively cool. So, today I thought I would share some of my tips for keeping your home cool during the summer without busting your bank account.
- Install Ceiling Fans -- I know many people hate the look of ceiling fans in their rooms, but in Arizona, they're almost essential. And, there are some really great looking ones out there.
- Cover Your Windows -- We all love to let the light in, but keeping your windows covered also helps cool your house. I'm not a big fan of using heavy curtains, but I use a combination of energy-efficient blinds and curtains wherever I can, and this really helps to keep our rooms darker and cooler.
- Rearrange Your Furniture -- I'm not talking about going on a major furniture-moving spree, but try to arrange your sofas and beds so that they're under the ceiling fan. This way, you can hang out and watch TV while staying cool. The fans also help to keep you comfortable while you sleep.
- Check for Saving Plans -- Our utility company offers energy saving plans, which help us save money on energy bills. We are charged more for energy used during the peak hours, so we set the thermostat higher and try not to use major appliances during these times. On evenings and weekends, the rates are lower, so we can indulge a little and lower the thermostat.
- Change Your Filters -- Dirty air filters cause your Air conditioning unit to work harder, increasing your utility costs. It's a good idea to change your air filters every month, and if you can get into the habit of always changing them on the first, then it will be a lot easier to remember this task. I know it's worked for us!
I hope these tips help a little. I know they may not be useful for everyone, but they've worked for us. Of course, you can also sip ice water and snack on frozen treats too!
If you have any other tips for staying cool, let me know. I'd love to hear them!
Have an awesome day!
Dee 🙂
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Thrifty Thursday
Sheena Anderson says
I had not thought about moving your furniture to be under the fan. Although my husband hates fans because he wears contacts so he always turns them off.