During the summer months, air conditioning is really a necessity, especially in Ontario where the humidity can make the temperature seem much more awful than it is. Running the air conditioner all the time, though, consumes a lot of energy that you could save by using some natural or lower-energy methods to keep cool. If you want to save on your energy bills while not turning your home into a swamp, you have quite a few choices.
Blind Rotation, Open Windows, and Blackout Curtains
In the early morning and later at night, turn off the air conditioner and open your windows. This lets cooler air into your home while warmer air flows out. Once the day gets going and the temperature starts rising, close the windows and rotate blinds so that the slats block direct sunlight from entering your home. That rotation is important because, even if you close the blinds all the way and rotate them so they are tightly shut, sunlight can still stream through between the slats if you rotate them the wrong way.
You might also want to install blackout curtains on each window. These are heavy, insulated curtains that often provide extra light- and heat-blocking capability. Keep them closed during the hottest part of the day.
Fans
Turn on ceiling fans whenever you’re home; the rotation sends a cooling breeze around the room in addition to evenly distributing air from the air conditioner vents. In addition to the ceiling fan, place a small box fan in an open window in the evening with the face of the fan pointed toward the outside. This helps blow hot air out through the window, further cooling your home in the evening.
Your Clothing
Remember to dress appropriately, too. If it’s summer, you don’t need to be in heavy clothing that’s more appropriate for fall. If your job requires similar clothing, change when you get home so that you’re not using your air conditioner to compensate for long sleeves.
Food and (Not) Cooking
Finally, try to limit the times when your stove and oven are on — those radiate tremendous amounts of heat — and keep cool, watery fruits like watermelon and grapes ready to eat.
If you find you’re still having trouble cooling your home, contact Syles Mechanical Services to have your air conditioning inspected. When your air conditioner works properly, you should have no problem keeping cool.