The last few days have been scorchers, and the National Weather Service says the heat will continue at least into next week. Everyone is looking for ways to stay cool.
One spot that should always provide respite is your home. Idaho Power has these tips on how to keep your house cool, while saving a little money on air conditioning.
1. Close blinds or curtains. Turns out, blocking out the light also blocks out some of the heating rays of the sun. It’s especially important if you have windows on the west and south sides of the building. “That’s the easiest thing one can do at this time of the year,” Idaho Power's Anne Alenskis says. And it’s inexpensive.
2. Keep windows closed. Closing windows during the heat of the day keeps cool, air conditioned air in. At night, if temperatures drop and its safe, cut the power and open the windows to cool your home naturally.
3. Take advantage of trees and awnings. They’re great natural-shade producers. Plant a tree or install an awning on the south and west sides of the house. Idaho Power warns to check overhead when planting a tree, to make sure it won’t interfere with power lines as it grows. “That helps, too,” Alenskis says, “it’s down the road a bit, but you’ll see a decrease in heat from the shade of the trees.”
4. Don't produce extra heat. Do laundry and run the dishwasher in the early morning or late evening hours. And try to do your cooking on the stove-top or the microwave. Cooking or broiling in the oven can add a lot of heat into the home.
5. Use an attic fan. They do a great job of drawing hot air out of the house.
6. Use a ceiling fan. It’s another great tool to keep cool. They work in homes with and without air conditioning. The movement of air caused by the fan can make it feel up to four degrees cooler. Idaho Power gives this advice; turn the fan off when you aren’t using the room. Fans cool you, not the room, by circulating air.
7. Take a cold shower. Taking a break with a cool shower will get your temperature down in a hurry, and you don’t have to cool the entire house to feel better.
8. Insulation. Normally something you worry about in winter, but weather stripping doors and windows, and making sure your house is insulated, will keep the cool air from your air conditioner inside, where it can do the most good. “This works in winter and summer,” Alenskis says, ”you seal your home and keep that warm or cool air in.”
9. Clean the filter. If you have a room air conditioner, clean the filter monthly. Wash foam filters with soap and water, then let them air dry. A more efficient air conditioner means you get more cool air while using less power. Alenskis says “it’s easy to clean those filters out, so make it part of your routine.”
Alenskis says everyone's home is different, so explore your options based on your home. Everyone has a different budget as well. She points out when it comes to cooling the house, you may not be able to replace all the windows, so think about simple things you can do. Same if you’re renting and not a homeowner, you can’t make major changes. “Little actions can make the difference,” she says, “especially for your electric bill.
One more tip. Alenskis says Idaho Power has a program that helps customers track how they use energy. It’s called myAccount and you can sign up online. It breaks down how much power you’re using and how your home is using that energy. You can compare your usage to last year. You can also look at weather and daily temperatures to see how your house is using energy on hotter days.
“Knowledge is power and we encourage folks to take charge of their energy use,” Alenskis says, “we encourage people to use energy wisely, as efficiently as possible.”
Find Samantha Wright on Twitter @samwrightradio
Copyright 2014 Boise State Public Radio
