Keep Your Cool, Save Energy and Money, Too!

Have you found your temper flaring or your savings shrinking in relation to the temperatures rising? With record temperatures across the country, what can you do to keep yourself, your homes and businesses cooler, use less air conditioning, save energy and money too?

Here are some simple steps to help you keep your cool:

• Check your window and doors for leaks. Purchase weather stripping and apply caulking to keep the cool air in and hot air out.
• Windows account for more than 30-50 percent of a home’s summer heat increase. Consider investing in insulating window treatments like cellular shades that will absorb the sun’s rays. Conversely, cellular shades, commonly called honeycomb shades, will insulate against cold temperatures in the winter saving on heating bills.
• A programmable thermostat allows you to regulate your air conditioning costs. Set your thermostat as high as you find comfortable.  If away for the day while you are at work, program your thermostat for 5- 7 degrees higher during the time you are away and lower the thermostat to a comfortable temperature before you arrive home.
• Stop the sun’s rays on the outside of your window before they heat up your home or office. Exterior solar shades offer greater heat reduction and energy savings. Choose a lighter colored fabric to reflect more heat and keep your room cooler.
• Utilize your ceiling fan. Ceiling fans or oscillating fans circulate the air in your home giving you the feeling of being cooler, allowing you to set your thermostat higher.
• Close your window coverings on your west and east facing windows during the day.  Efficient window treatments will insulate against heat gain. Cellular shades, draperies, and shutters are the best insulators. For high or large expanse windows receiving considerable heat, window film is the perfect choice.  Window film significantly reduces heat and protects your wood floors, carpets and furnishings against harmful UV rays and fading.
• Use your microwave, grill, stove top or toaster oven more in the summer months and your oven less. Drink cool liquids and eat cold foods. Avoid spicy foods such as peppers and ginger that will heat up your body. 
• Keep yourself cool. Wear light, loose fitting clothes in natural linen, cotton or silk.  Save denim and heavier materials for winter months.

There is still several months before Mother Nature sends a nice cool breeze. Try these tips to help you keep your cool. Let me know what tips have worked for you and share your favorite tips with Patch readers.

Elaine Trotter, blogger for the Land O' Lakes Patch is the owner of Budget Blinds, who specialize in solving your window treatment dilemmas including heat, glare, privacy and fashion.