Warm, summer weather has arrived and with it comes the sun, heat and humidity. Since summer marks the beginning of the home cooling season, many homeowners are concerned about avoiding warmer indoor temperatures while still preventing painfully high energy bills.
There are a number of ways to keep your costs low while keeping your home cool and comfortable. Here are some of the best indoor cooling tips to help keep your family cool this summer
1. Replace your outdated air conditioning unit:
If you live in a home that is over 20 years old, it may be time to consider purchasing a new unit that is more energy efficient. Even if you have lived in your home for a shorter period, but live in extreme climate areas, such as desert communities, also consider replacing your unit. Look for units that cost less to run and have energy approved program standards. This can differ depending on your geographic location.
2. Alternate methods of cooking:
Instead of using your oven everyday, consider using your microwave or grilling outside this summer. Heating your oven up daily adds more heat to your interiors and therefore requires your air conditioning cooling system to work harder and longer. If you do need to use your oven, consider baking in the morning hours when your air conditioning may not need to be used and its cooler outside.
3. Automate your thermostat:
If you are still using a manual thermostat to adjust the air conditioning in your home, consider replacing with an automatic one that can be programmed to keep your home warmer when you are not home. Then in turn, you can program it to come on before the family gets home.
4. Keep the hot sun out of your home:
When leaving your home, or in times of the day when the sun is at its hottest, pull your window treatments closed to block out warm rays. Your interior spaces will feel cooler and your air conditioner won’t work as hard.
5. Take cooler and shorter showers:
When taking a shower in your home, turn down the temperature of the hot water to save energy. Decrease the duration of how long you stay in the shower to save on your hot water tank usage. Consider installing a tankless water heater to heat water only when needed, as opposed to an entire tank, which sits in your garage, basement or utility space.
6. Install more energy efficient light bulbs:
Change out your current incandescent bulbs to more efficient ones, for example: compact fluorescent bulbs use less energy to use as well as emit a brighter light. They also last longer, and therefore need to be replaced less often, in turn saving you money.
7.Close the curtains, blinds or drapes:
A lot of sun can shine into your home throughout the day, especially during the longer daylight hours and intense heat of summer. Keeping your windows covered will keep much of the sun's heat out, which reduces the load on your air conditioner.
8. Keep A/C unit clear of weeds, vines and other debris:
These materials can clog the unit and cause efficiency problems. This is a maintenance job you can do yourself in between professional routine maintenance for your HVAC system. It's important every year to get a complete tune-up and clean out any dirt or grime that may be slowing things down.
9. Set the thermostat higher:
Lowering the thermostat to a cooler setting will not cause your A/C to cool the house any faster, but it may waste a lot of energy. Try to aim for a consistent temperature on the thermostat (between 75 and 78 degrees) with very minimal adjustments, or consider investing in a programmable thermostat to make needed adjustments for you.
10. Close or seal registers in the basement:
Since basements keep a fairly consistent cooler temperature due to their location underground, any cold air directed into the basement will be wasted.
11. Partially close air vents in unused rooms:
While your system is designed to cool the entire house, you can redirect some cool air to your most-used areas by partially closing certain vents. You may save a little energy and focus cooling where you need it most.
12. Keep all vents clear and unblocked:
Blocked vents will increase the pressure on your air conditioner and prevent the house from cooling consistently or evenly, so make sure vents aren't blocked by furniture and remove any dust or debris that might be clogging them up.
13.Use ceiling fans to help cool your home:
Reversible fans can be adjusted with the season, forcing cool air down in the summer and helping to keep your family comfortable. This way, the fans can work with your central air conditioner to help keep the air moving and help you feel cooler.
14.Prevent overexertion:
Try to exercise or do yard work in the early morning or evening, when temperatures are lower, and drink a lot of water to help your body cool itself. This way, when you're indoors, you and your family can remain comfortable at a reasonable temperature, instead of feeling you need to drop the thermostat to combat overexertion or overheating.
Saving energy this summer shouldn’t be a major challenge. Use these 14 helpful energy saving tips to protect your wallet, save the Earth and keep you and your family cool this summer. There are hundreds of ways to save energy, do your part in making this summer enjoyable for all, and by keeping your energy consumption to minimum levels to give your pocket a break too and These indoor cooling tips are a great place to start when trying to save energy and money while still living comfortably, but there are also many other ideas to try. You can also browse the Department of Energy website to find more indoor cooling tips to help manage your energy use during the hotter months.
Three Stages of Overheating:-
Prolonged exposure to excessive heat causes symptoms that become progressively worse unless you get out of the heat and do what is necessary to care for yourself.
1.Initially, exertion in heat and/or lack of water
(or loss of water and salt from heavy sweating) will cause cramps; painful spasms that usually center in the legs, but can also occur in the abdomen and arms. (A note regarding "thirst": By the time your body tells you that you are thirsty, you're already mildly dehydrated.)
Also, persons poorly hydrated, or poorly acclimatized to heat, or standing for long periods (or who stop/stand abruptly after working/exercising) in the heat, may feel suddenly weak and dizzy, or may actually faint!
Should you get cramps, or suddenly feel weak/dizzy, stop what you are doing, rest in a cool area, and drink clear juice or a sports beverage. With shade and rest, faintess or dizziness should subside promptly. If cramps persist for more than an hour, see a doctor.
2.Heat exhaustion comes next.
Your body temperature is still normal, but your skin is cold and clammy, you're thirsty, become uncoordinated and feel dizzy. You may feel faint, and your heartbeat may be rapid. You must immediately be rehydrated with water, salt and minerals. If these symptoms persist even after you're cooled down, see a doctor. only let persons exhibiting these symptoms have water or sports drink if they are fully conscious and can protect their own airway, as nausea and vomiting are also signs of heat-related illness.
3.Finally, there is heat stroke.
If you've let things get to this stage, you're in serious trouble. As your condition deteriorates, your body actually stops sweating - so beware of dry, hot red skin. Your body temperature is above 103 degrees F, your skin is dry and flushed (red), your pulse is strong and rapid, your mental state is impaired, -you're on your way to a coma. You may die unless you're treated immediately.
If you see someone with these symptoms, call for an ambulance. While awaiting its arrival, get the victim out of the heat. Loosen or remove clothing, wrap the person in wet towels or clothing, and apply ice packs around the neck,the groin and under the arms and knees (where the blood flow is greatest and closest to the surface). do not allow oral hydration if mental impairment is observed (and it is usually present in this condition).
The best defense is PREVENTION:-
Here are some precautions you can take...
-Wear light weight, light-colored loose-fitting clothing.
-Apply sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) rating of at least "SPF 15" to exposed portions of the body
-Limit exposure during the hottest hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
-If possible, avoid strenuous work or exercise outside.
-Take advantage of shade in the environment and/or wear a wide-brimmed hat.
-Stay in air-conditioned areas or use cooling fans to speed sweat evaporation.
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