It’s hard to believe it’s only officially been “summer” for 19 days so far, because in many parts of the U.S., it feels like it’s been swelteringly hot for months now. So with 76 more summer days to go before autumn begins, this article from U.S. News offers some cool and inexpensive tips to help you save money while keeping the heat out of your home.
Unless you’re swimming, live in a cool climate or have access to A/C, the heat can be nearly unbearable. And though you can’t spend every day in a pool, you can find ways to avoid letting the outside heat drastically increase the cost of your bills. Here are a few easy, inexpensive ways to mitigate the cost of staying cool in the warm summer months so your wallet doesn’t get burned.
One of the most obvious ways to keep your living space cool is to utilize your windows. The quickest way to cool your house is to crack them open when you go to bed at night to allow the cool, nighttime air in your house. For good cross-ventilation, make sure you open at least two windows. An added bonus is that you may get to hear the crickets, frogs or even cicadas. It’s like a free sound machine.
Another (free) option is to keep the blinds on sunny windows closed. It may sound simple, but according to the Energy Department, using interior blinds that are completely closed and lowered will reduce heat gain by roughly 45 percent. The Energy Department also suggests using the slats to redirect the rays to a light-colored ceiling, which will diffuse the light without much glare or heat.
