In case you haven’t noticed…it is hot out! And whether you are inside or outside, there doesn’t seem to be anywhere to hide. For most St. Louisan’s the only relief in sight is their home’s air conditioner. But every time their air conditioner kicks on, their energy bill skyrockets.
With consistent 100 degree weather, paying your energy bill can be almost as painful as the heat outside. Instead of letting you air conditioner work overtime (and its extra wages!) consider making a few economical and environmental renovations to beat the heat.
A quick and easy fix we often suggest to homeowners are ceiling fans. While fans do use electricity, they use only a fraction of what an air conditioner uses. During the hot summer months an efficient ceiling fan can make a room feel seven degrees cooler at only $10 a month in energy costs. And because you can focus on one room with a single fan, there is no need to waste.
And now that you are circulating the air inside, try to keep the heat outside. Closing shades and curtains can help reduce the amount of heat coming through the windows and also planting trees around your house can help keep you cool. Try planting your new trees to block the sun from rooms you will be frequenting during the day.
When you are inside, please be mindful of your activates. Running the oven, washer, dryer and other electronics can heat up your home quickly. Try to save cooking and other actives until later in the night when the temperature has dropped. And finally try to keep lamps and other warm objects away from your thermostat; this can cause your air conditioning to run more often.
As the heat continues to dangerous, always be mindful of your limits. And if you do not have air conditioning, please go to a shelter or stay with a trust friend or family member.
At RIGGS we can help you beat the heat, without running your air conditioner into the ground. We have a certified green specialist on staff who can offer the latest in green renovations. Stay cool!
