Stay green while staying cool

You’ve felt the weather over the past few weeks haven’t you? There will be no more cold days in Florida for quite a while. Time to crank the A/C! However, it can be disheartening to watch your electric bill go up in the name of comfort. It’s a good thing there are many tips to help you cut back on your A/C usage to save money and energy. This summer, try to keep in mind the following when you start to feel the heat.

Cook cool: The same way an ice cold drink cools you off, eating chilled meals has the same effect. There are many fruit and salad recipes you can try to beat the heat. If you do decide to cook something hot, try grilling or microwaving your food. Using your oven or stovetop will heat up your kitchen, as well as the rest of your home.

Watch your electricity use: Have you ever wondered why computer labs are kept so cold? It’s because all those computers produce a lot of heat. You probably don’t have that many desktops in your home, but you probably have a number of other devices – all of which can produce a lot of heat, even in standby mode. The same goes for energy inefficient light bulbs (Energy Star rated bulbs produce much less heat than standard bulbs). To maximize the coolness in your home, turn everything off. As a bonus, you’ll save even more electricity!

Close your windows: A common misconception is that opening your windows will circulate air and cool your home. However, that doesn’t work when the air outside is warmer than the air inside (which, is often the case). Keep your windows shut with blinds drawn to keep out hot sun rays and warm air. If the outdoor air is cool at night, open your windows and you may be able to go the whole night without A/C.

Manage your thermostat: Most people agree that keeping your thermostat set to 78 degrees will save money while keeping you relatively comfortable. However, if your thermostat is programmable, you can do even more to save energy. Make sure it doesn’t turn on when you know no one will be home, and set it to run less frequently at night when it’s cooler.

Inspect you’re A/C unit: You may want to hire a professional for this, but it can save a lot in energy bills. If a pro can fix any inefficiencies in your unit, it will run better, cheaper. Also, be sure to clean or replace your air filter as needed.

Insulate: Solid insulation will keep heat out and make sure your home doesn’t lose as much cold air. If you’re using central air, be double sure to seal your ducts for a more efficient cooling system.

Plant trees: This may not work for everyone because of space or cost issues, but really, what greener way to stay cool? Your home gets warmer from the summer sun constantly shining on it. If you can shade your home with a few strategically placed trees, you’ll notice a cooling effect.

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Stay green while staying cool