We live in Southern California, just far enough inland that we do not get the moderating effects of the ocean. We run our air conditioning to not only keep comfortable, but also to protect our health. It gets hot enough here that we can easily experience heat exhaustion or even heat induced nausea if we forgo it. So the question for our household is not do we run our air conditioning, it is a question of how to we manage it so that we stay healthy, but do not run up a huge bill!
We found a number of tricks that help tremendously.
1. Get a programmable thermostat. They are more accurate and efficient that the old fashioned slide the lever model. Set the thermostat to at least two degrees Celcius warmer than you set your winter thermostat, and even try for 4 degrees. We set our heat for 21C(69.8F) and our air conditioning for 24C (75F). If you are gone all day (or have predictable appointments each week, like church) have your thermostat set to cool the house for your return, but not to run the whole time you are gone. Our air conditioning started running a lot less once we installed one in our new home! (We will easily save the money a thermostat cost us this summer)
2. Close the blinds on the side of the house the sun is facing
3. Put Gila heat blocking film on the windows that get the hot afternoon sun. (Don't buy their solution, dissolve some baby shampoo in water).
4. As soon as the outside temperature is the same or close to the inside temperature turn off the air conditioning and start opening windows (but not where the sun is shining). Sleep with the windows open and fans on.
5. Even though you are running the air conditioning, also run the ceiling fans (if you have them) upstairs so that the second floor stays comfortable without cranking the air conditioning further.
6. Try to use your BBQ, slow cooker, or have a cold meal on hot days. If you MUST use your oven, try to use it first thing in the morning with all the windows open before it heats up.
I am sure that I have not mentioned all the ideas, so please post comments to tell me what I missed.
![[the-library.jpg]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlgbkzq4RFoBQc3lUKiqnqmqJKJ_OvF8tsg4xUtv3A6fDdV2iaYc-f2GJHGXNypj1LPHuqZ8UPUpK7aA0NY7wN5lyaEYmIfFqYSDIxPYzg_rBBouE60A0LABiXUbdI73MhHN24Xb7-nc/s1600/the-library.jpg)
8 comments:
Great tips. Thankfully this has been an efficient house to heat and cool, one of the few things I like about it.
BTW your name is on a little bloggy award at my place. Thanks for sharing so much!!
Blessings
A whole-house fan is wonderful though we haven't installed one in our current house ~ yet! When temps cool outside, air can be drawn in quickly through a few windows(faster than just turning off air and opening windows and using other fans...an added benefit is the attic is better cooled for the next day). The higher the fan speed and less windows open, the more air movement you will feel. It's great to rid the house of odors such as from stove/oven or others that can happen, too. :-)
These are great tips! Running the AC can be very expensive. Here in Michigan I usually only have to run it for a couple hours a day. The mornings and evenings are usually comfortably cool, it's just the mid-afternoons that can be hot and stuffy. Oh, and I love your tip about ceiling fans. They really help to circulate the air in the house. Thanks again!
~Samantha
www.newcalling.blogspot.com
All great suggestions! I live in the deep south, and am in the same boat as you! I love our programmable thermostat-it really does save money! And you can live comfortably in a 77 degree house in the summer. We do it every day. I saw your name over at Joyful Days, and then a comment you made about homeschooling over there. Just wanted to encourage you some more. You are not alone, and isn't it wonderful how you can find other like-minded homeschooling moms out there?
Great suggestions! We live in the South, too, so air conditioning is a must! We have a programmable thermostat and for the life of me I cannot figure out how to use it! Every time I set it to something, it changes to something else. I miss my old-fashioned slidy kind. :-) We keep our house at 82 usually, but that's because neither of us mind the heat. And we just don't go upstairs except to sleep. :-)
The problem with leaving your windows open (depending on where you live) is the intense HUMIDITY. Once it gets in your house, it can be suffocating.
My parents live in Florida, and they cook most of their food on the grill during the summer.
I'm in Texas, so i understand about the a.c. I love cooking on the grill--it means dh or oldest ds does the cooking ! ;-) I also got a countertop oven last spring that is proving very helpful. Used to, I did zero cooking in the oven in the summer. It's really nice to have a baking option in the summer.
Could you expand on this "cold meal" thing. The other day my husband requested a cold meal and I don't have a clue. I mean, I know sandwiches and salads, but he's not going to want that often.
I've read where the woman say they use their large electric oven, .. Ya know the old fashioned style {but can be bought new} that sits flat on a table and the lid lifts off. They put it in their garage to cook their oven meals in the summer...even cooking two meals at a time. I don't know how much electricity these use but they are roomy and could cook two pans of things at least. This way the house gets no heat from an oven. Some put their toaster ovens or crock pots in a clean garage or patio for this purpose...watch out though for hungry pets!! Also they can get hot so watch out for unsuspecting children.
Post a Comment