How to use Clean Energy to Stay Cool
Make Your Summer Cooler with Clean Energy
Summers all over the world are getting hotter and hotter. There may be a way to stop it, though. The most accessible way to cut back on the heat in your home, and also to help with the planet’s issues with global warming and greenhouse gases, is using clean energy. Clean energy may come from solar panels on your home, huge solar power plants in your southwest desert state, a wind farm, or even a fascinating geothermal plant. Choosing the right clean energy for your household needs, and supplementing this new source of energy with other daily changes will help you maintain reasonable cooling costs, and help you to focus on things that matter. When your attention isn’t focused on keeping your home cool, you can think about making soccer games, watching your favorite television show, or enjoying a cool lemonade with your friends.
Switch to Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs
After making the switch to energy efficient light bulbs, most people are able to see differences in their cooling bills as soon as the next cycle. Though they’ve been around for years, energy-efficient bulbs are finally becoming more common than traditional light bulbs. With a longer life and stronger light, energy efficient bulbs are a better buy, and a great way to utilize your clean energy during the summer.
Install Black-Out Curtains
Black-out curtains are a quick and easy way to to lower your home’s interior temperature by as much as ten degrees. Widely available in a variety of colors, simply changing your curtains can and will have an immediate effect on your home’s temperature. You can even dress up the curtain rods, if you’re a crafts person.
Make Sure that Your HVAC system has been checked
The number one culprit of high energy bills is not the constant running of air conditioning systems, but in fact, air conditioning systems that are outdated and are not properly working. Older systems consume more than their fair share of power, and spending a few thousand dollars updating or repairing your system will make a difference in your comfort, and in your wallet.
Keep Your Thermostat at 78 or higher
A tip that will save you money and help the environment as much as your new source of renewable sources, keeping your thermostat at 78 consumes far less energy than the ideal summer air conditioning temperature of 68 degrees.
Unplug Electronics During the Day
Seems drastic, but turning off and unplugging appliances and electronics when you are not home, or home and not using them will have an impact on your energy bills. It is not usually advised that you unplug your refrigerator (no one likes warm lemonade), but your microwave, computer, and television really only need access to electricity when they are actively being used.
Use Heat-Producing Appliances at Night
Though some may find this tip annoying, it makes perfect sense: as it is typically cooler in the evening than it is during the day, saving the heat-creating chores for evening will make them more bearable, but also cheaper: nights have far less energy demand, and are, for that reason, better for high-demand appliances, like dryers and dishwashing machines.
