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Cheaper Summer Cooling
by Gary Foreman
Question: Your recent article concerning summer cooling focused mainly
on persons who own their own home and can make changes such as adding
insulation, providing shade and shrubs, and replacing windows. In
addition to fan usage, what can those of us in apartments do to keep
ourselves cool this summer?
Erica R. Adams, WI
Answer: Erica is right. Apartment dwellers feel the sting of higher
cooling bills, too. And, replacing windows or air conditioning units
isn't an answer for them. So let's see what we can do to reduce the
amount she spends keeping comfortable this summer.
We'll begin with one that Erica mentions: fans. You probably can't put a
ceiling fan in a rental, but that doesn't mean that you can't use floor
or table fans. Studies show that even at 82F and 100% humidity, comfort
can be maintained as long as air is blowing across the skin. That moving
air helps the body to dissipate heat. And fans are a cheap way to move
air.
But Erica was looking for some ideas beyond using fans. How about using
colors to cool you down? Sounds strange, but Kathy Wilson, editor of
TheBudgetDecorator.com website says that it works. "Using cool colors
while decorating your rooms is one of the most cost effective methods of
keeping cool during the summer months. Using cool colors within a room
immediately lowers the visual temperature, which is a very powerful
tool!"
Kathy suggests using colors from the blue and green family. "When the
eye sees a cool color, your brain relates it to cool water, fresh blue
sky, or sweet spring grass." You can add these colors to your room by
using throw pillows, slip covers, area rugs, room accents or even
painting one wall.
Cool colors are great, but what can you do when the thermometer clears
80 and keeps rising? While you can't eliminate the sun, you can banish
other sources of heat in your home. Cooking is a major heat generator.
Use your oven and stove-top as little as possible. Replace them with
your microwave oven. Or cook outdoors. And your BBQ isn't the only way
to cook outside. A slow cooker can be used on a porch or patio.
Summer is also a great time to consider a lighter diet. Avoid those
heavy roasts and casseroles. Not only will you look better in that
swimsuit, but it takes less energy (which creates heat) for the body to
digest a simpler meal. How about a dinner salad tonight?
Not only do you want to keep from generating heat inside your home, you
also want to keep the heat outdoors. If you have outside access to
windows and doors, caulking around them could be a good investment. Even
if the landlord won't help pay. Caulking is cheap and it doesn't take
much time to run a bead to close up obvious leaks.
Another way to keep heat outside is to prevent the sun from shining into
your home. Sunlight creates a lot of heat quickly. Especially when
shining through a clear window. We all remember using the sun shining
through a magnifying glass to set a leaf on fire. Draw your shades so
you don't become that leaf! No shades? Consider installing them
yourself. Even an inexpensive roll-up shade can make a big difference.
Next, Erica wants to help her air conditioner to work efficiently.
Normal dust will reduce airflow by about 1% per week. Experts advise
cleaning or replacing filters monthly. Disposable filters are cheap and
anyone can learn how to replace them. Any money you spend will be repaid
in lower electric bills.
Reduce the amount of space you're cooling. Close off unused rooms. That
means shutting the door and the A/C vent.
If you have access to the outdoor portion of the A/C unit make sure that
air can flow around it. Even renters are allowed to trim bushes and
shrubs that prevent an air conditioner from working properly.
Many utility companies will inspect your A/C system for free. While your
landlord might not be legally required to act on their recommendations,
they might feel obligated to solve any problems that are found.
Finally, raise your thermostat as much as possible. For every degree
you'll save about 4% on your A/C bill.
Erica may not have all the options that a homeowner has. But that
doesn't mean she needs to be hot under the collar all summer long!
About the author
Gary Foreman has spent the last 30 years helping people get the most for
their money. He currently edits
TheDollarStretcher.com website and newsletters. If you'd like more time and
money visit today!
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