Summer is finally here. For many, the warm days and long nights may be a blessing, providing positivity in this time of crisis. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, we have all been advised to stay in and around our homes, making it harder to beat the heat. As a result, many of us will be cranking up the air conditioner. However, while this might cool you down, it will cost you a substantial amount of money.
For many people, the coronavirus pandemic has forced us to tighten our purse strings. If you are worried about how much money you are spending on electricity during summer, here are some ways to cool yourself down without breaking the bank:
Turn the AC Up
It can be tempting, during these summer months, to leave the AC blaring all day. However, air conditioners use a huge amount of energy when in use, and will end up costing you a fortune if you use it daily.
If you are really trying to lower your energy bill, try to avoid the air conditioner at all costs. However, if things start getting unbearable, try to make sure the AC only cools rooms of the house you are actually using. When using the AC, ensure you do not turn it to the lowest setting. Instead, have it slightly higher than you normally would, as for every degree the thermostat is raised, 4-8 percent can be saved on cooling costs.
Shut Curtains and Blinds
This might make your house feel a little dark, but closing your blinds and curtains during the hottest part of the day will help keep the heat out of your house, making it cooler throughout the day. Keeping your windows open but your blinds are closed will also help stop any unwanted bugs from entering your home.
Take Cold Baths and Showers
If you are really hot, take cold showers and baths whenever you feel the heat is overwhelming you. This will quickly lower your body temperature, and you won’t be spending more money by heating up the water. If you find that the heat outside is making you tired or giving you heat stroke, a cold shower or bath could also help alleviate this.
If you have young children/dogs who are getting hot in the sun but don’t want cold baths, consider buying a small paddling pool for them to splash about in the garden. If you can, play with them by splashing them down with a hose or get them to run through sprinklers. This will ensure that your young children/dogs will be properly cooled in this heat.
Invest in a Smart Thermostat
Although a fairly expensive purchase, a smart thermostat could save you a lot of money in the long run. These thermostats can be controlled from your smartphone, and will save you a lot of money because it means you can turn off your heating/AC even when you aren’t in the house. This means you will never have to pay for heating when you are not using it.
Change Energy Supplier
This is perhaps the easiest way to save money on your electricity bill. Many people, without realizing it, could be with the wrong provider and paying more than they need to for energy. If you live in a state where electricity is deregulated, check out comparison websites like Dominion energy, and you could end up saving a substantial amount of money on your bill.
Conclusion
We all want to make sure we enjoy the sun during these difficult times. However, because we are now having to stay in more than ever before, the heat can be really hard to deal with. Hopefully, the above tips will help you to beat the heat without breaking the bank.
