The luxury of an air conditioning system—especially during the arid summer season—goes without saying. But when money's tight, you may have to ration AC usage for a few hours in order to save your hard-earned cash. Here's how to keep your house at a tolerable temperature without AC:
Keep ‘em Closed During the day, shut drapes, blinds, and curtains to keep out the beating rays of the afternoon sun. As night approaches, crack a bedroom window to promote ventilation and let a cool breeze in. Call or email Wallside Windows to speak with a professional if you're unsure about how to repair any window damage or considering installing new replacement windows.
Limit Heat-Generating Technology If possible, curb the use of technologies that require a significant amount of electricity to run and are known to emit a lot of energy. Lighting appliances and kitchen stoves are notorious for this; by cutting down on their use you hit two birds with one stone by saving money and reducing output from hefty generators of heat.
All About the H20 Consuming your body’s daily recommended water intake is essential for bodily functions with the AC on or not; however, this advice is extra vital to heed when it's a scorcher and your body’s fluid loss occurs at a higher rate than normal. Avoid dehydration not only by staying cool but also keeping a water bottle in close proximity to re-hydrate.
Install Energy Efficient Windows Windows with excellent insulation technology - such as e-glass, which Wallside Windows coats their windows with - are great long-term investments to block out heat. Also, check your current windows for any air leakages or gaps that might need to be sealed as these could lead to precious losses in cold air.
Exercise During Morning or Night The hottest time of the day is between noon and 3:00 p.m. To avoid being thwarted with a tidal wave of heat, keep workouts to the early morning or after the sun has gone down.
Last Thoughts If you must run your AC at some point, opt to run it during the hottest part of the day (usually noon - 3:00 p.m.). Make sure to also follow the above tips when not running your AC so that the cool air generated is contained within the house.
