Tips for Staying Cool

By Laura T. Coffey
Contributor TODAYShow.com
Updated 7:25 ET July 9, 2008


Laura T. Coffey
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Is it equipped to the heat waves in many areas during the summer months experienced control? Although it might not be able to verify that you have to, but there are simple steps you can take to keep home cool and comfortable, and reduce electricity bills at the same time.

And if circumstances make it difficult for some of these tips at home to be fair, Tip # 10 is just for you. Offers ideas for finding a variety of air-conditioned accommodations may be that you and your family a necessary break from the heat.

1. Ceiling fans can be curative. When you hit on the lookout for ways to heat, ceiling fan can be a great investment for your home. This device can make a room feel 6 or 7 degrees cooler, and most of the cost of the energy-hungry fan under $ 10 per month to use if you keep it to 12 hours a day. Good fans make it possible for the thermostat to raise and save air conditioning costs.

2. If you have air conditioning, use it wisely. Do not place lamps, televisions or other heat-generating appliances in addition to the air conditioning thermostat. It will keep the air conditioning from operating as efficiently as it should be. If you have a window that has air conditioning, be sure to use it in conjunction with a fan that draws cool air in your home.
3. Get with the program. Here is another way to reduce their energy costs: Use a programmable thermostat that automatically adjusts your air conditioner. This can be both cool stuff if no one at home for long periods or at night when it cool outside. You can program the thermostat to increase the comfort level in his home shortly before getting up or returning from work.

4. Give bring no fresh air. If you rely on air conditioning, you are likely to pay dearly for bringing the fresh air. Effective caulking and weatherstripping to keep it leaks directly out of his house. Check for holes or separated joints in your air conditioning ducts and add insulation around pipes in attics, crawl spaces and garages.

5. Adapt to your environment. You live in a house with an attic that the ingestion of large amounts of heat? If so, could a whole house fan is worth the investment of $ 150 to be $ 400. The fans pull the air through open windows in your house and escape from your attic and roof. Even if you can not have a whole house fan, well able to contribute roof vents and air vents also help to ventilate your attic, and then reduce heat levels in your home. Or if you live in a dry climate, you might want to invest in an evaporative cooler or "swamp cooler". Cools outside air passes over pads saturated with cold water. Cold air is sent home, and the warmer air is pushed open the outside through the windows partially. These systems cost between $ 200 and $ 600 and use significantly less energy than central air conditioning in low humidity climates.

6. The windows of the subject. The choice of white curtains, blinds or drapes to reflect heat away from the house, and be sure to close the curtains in the south and west facing windows during the day. Depending on the severity of the heat where you live, you can also use the sun or the control of other reflective films on south-facing windows and mount awnings over them.

7. Choose your landscaping wisely. Plant trees or shrubs to shade air-conditioning, without blocking the airflow. Stay away from green spaces and increase with some shade, asphalt or concrete in the south or west side of the house of stone, but the temperature and radiates heat to the house after sunset.
8. Try a lattice. Vines grown on trellises can shade the entire side of a house. This can be a particularly effective way to shade west-facing window. (Trees or a fence would work well, too.)

9. Hug a tree. Three trees strategically in the south and west sides of your house, you can reduce your energy bill by $ 100 to $ 250 per year. Tree-shaded patio and neighborhoods have the air temperature during the day, they are a few degrees cooler than similar areas without trees.

10. Find new ways to escape. Again, you can in a situation where such agreements, known only within their reach or control. No matter what, you can imagine how to escape the heat this summer on their own or with his family. Some ideas:

Catch a movie matinee reduced prices during the day in an ice film.
Relax in the library and read for hours - and while you're there, check out all kinds of films, books and music for free.
Check your local newspaper for listings of art of low or no cost and crafts, music festivals, art exhibitions, theater performances, concerts and visits to households that take place in air conditioners.
Contact your local community center or your city or town in the pool and ask free or low cost programs and courses for you and your children.
Exit at a skating rink or ice rink during the day. Even if you do not feel like skating, you could bring a good book, and watch over their children, friends or relatives of skate.