Low Cost Tips to Improve Energy Efficiency During the Summer

By Elli Davis, August 2, 2012

Ceiling Fan by Peter Dutton

We live in a dangerous, busy world, and our planet is not in the best shape. Luckily enough, an increasing number of people living in developed countries realize how important it is to help the environment. One of the easiest and possibly cheapest ways to do so is to try to be energy efficient. Here are a few inexpensive tips to increase your own energy efficiency and at the same time keep yourself and your home cool in these hot summer months!

General Tips

• Days are longer during the summer, so you should keep the lights turned off whenever you can. Importantly, make sure to adjust your outdoor lighting timers.

• Do not leave your windows wide open if it is hot outside. Keeping your drapes and shades closed during the day will help you maintain a relatively cool home even during the summer. Night-time, on the contrary, is perfect for opening the windows and letting some fresh air in. Air conditioning may not even be necessary if you go by these two simple rules.

• If you feel like you need more coolness, try floor and ceiling fans or, of course, air conditioning. To save energy, you should shut the air conditioner down every time you leave the house.

• Get your cooling system checked regularly so that you will be certain it works as it should and does not waste much energy.

Fruit Salad by D Sharon Pruitt

• Not many people particularly enjoy hot lunches during the summer. To save energy and keep your home cool, you should try to avoid using the oven or the stove too frequently. Fresh salads or ice cream are a lot more enjoyable than warm dishes when the weather is too hot.

• If you cannot cope with not being able to cook, there are a few solutions. You can barbecue in your garden, cook a little something (nothing fancy) in your microwave or, in the worst case, use pots and pans with tight-fitting lids.

• Too lazy to wash the dishes? It is not a problem if you have a dishwasher. To save energy, you should make sure it is fully loaded every time you use it. Furthermore, you can turn off the dry circle and let the dishes air dry.

• Like the dishwasher, the washing machine should only be used when it is fully loaded. During the summer, it makes no sense to use the dryer, just let your laundry air dry. You will save some energy and your clothes will smell amazingly fresh.

• Do not take hot baths every day. Showers save a lot of water and they are a great refreshment, which most of us need during the summer.

• If you have a pool, make sure not to keep the filter turned on overnight.

• Turn off all the appliances that are not currently in use. Turn off your computer! Unplug everything you are not using; it can save a lot of energy.

• Many appliances help to save energy. If you are buying a new fridge or washing machine f other appliance, make sure to choose one that will increase your energy efficiency.

Personal Habits

There are also a number of ideas to save energy that involve your daily habits. Here are the two most important:

1. Spend as much time outside as possible. The weather is usually nice during summertime and we should use it to the fullest. Just lie outside in your garden, swim, read a good book, and relax. Alternatively, go for a long walk. Simply enjoy being outside with no electrical devices around. Not only will you feel good, but it will also help your energy bills.

2. Being outside in the sun will not, with the exception of swimming, cool you down. During the summer, it is important to wear light clothing (so that you will not need air-conditioning so desperately) and it is equally crucial to drink a lot of water. Sounds easy, right? Just keep cool (calm) and carry on!

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