Bettina Sales, Environment Committee
While it is tempting to simply crank up the air conditioner on those hot summer days, there are several cost-effective things you can do to use less energy and save money to stay cool this summer.
Reverse your ceiling fan
Make sure your ceiling fan is set with the blades running counterclockwise. This promotes cooling by pulling the cooler air from the ground and creates a cool breeze.
Soak your feet
Fill a bucket or basin with cold tap water and sit with your feet in it for 15-20 minutes. The thin skin of your feet and shins, combined with blood circulation, will cool you down quickly. Repeat as needed. If you have health problems, check with your doctor first.
Natural cooling
Create shade using natural elements like trees. Consider planting leafy trees on the south side of your home and evergreen trees on the north side to provide shade in the summer. Exterior shading works just as effectively as curtains or blinds.
Until shade trees grow tall enough to block sun in summer, you can install retractable awnings that shade the sunniest parts of your home to allow your fans and cooling system to work more efficiently inside the home. If you have an outdoor space without many trees, strategically place fabric to create shaded areas.
Optimize windows
Lower blinds and draw curtains during the brightest part of the day to shade the space keeping it cooler.
Opening smaller windows to let air in and a larger window to let air out increases air speed and creates a cross breeze. You can also position fans near windows and doors to increase air flow. If you have double-hung windows, opening the bottom sash can draw in cool air from the outside while opening the upper sash pulls hot air from the ceiling out of the window.
Keep your windows open when the sun has set, and the air has cooled, taking advantage of the overnight hours to cool your home naturally. Placing fans on your windowsill can boost intake as well. Try hanging an ice pack on a fan, experiment to see if adding an ice pack on the front or back of fan brings more cool air to you.
Reduce heat sources
Avoid using your oven on the hottest days to keep your kitchen at a manageable temperature. If you can not avoid heating the kitchen, use the vent hood to remove as much heat as possible and help dehumidify. The more ways you can minimize any additional heat being generated inside your house, the better. Similarly, avoid turning on appliances that generate heat like your dryer. Use the hot outdoor temperatures to line dry your clothes or use a drying rack if possible.
Evaporative Cooling
Placing wet towels or cotton bed sheets within a room can create evaporative cooling which can be a simple yet effective approach to cooling indoor spaces without the need for air conditioning. How to do it:
Use clean cloth to soak up cold water, squeeze out the water until it is adequately damp but not dripping water and position it either directly in front of an open window or on a drying rack within the room.
Pet sensitive to heat? Put a damp towel in the shade on the grass for them to lie down on.
Here is a passive cooling checklist if you are considering renovations to be as energy efficient as possible.
- Maximize north-facing daytime living areas.
- Use smaller, well shaded windows to increase cross-ventilation to the south, east and west.
- Avoid west-facing bedrooms to maintain sleeping comfort.
- Locate utility areas (laundry, garage) on the south or west where possible.
- Avoid placing obstructions such as carports or sheds to the north.
- Prune vegetation that allows winter sun in.
