Air conditioning can help take the edge off a hot summer day, but it can consume a lot of energy and drive up your electric bill. Staying comfortable doesn’t have to wring out your wallet. There are many simple, low-cost solutions to being comfortable when the mercury climbs, they just require a little extra effort.
According to the Office of the Washington State Climatologist, the coolest part of the day in Washington occurs between 3 and 6 a.m. with the hottest parts coming 12 hours later.
With that in mind, build habits that work the weather to your advantage.
At a minimum, close all the windows and even blinds or curtains on the sunny side of the home (typically the south and west sides) when the temperature starts to climb. That’ll cut back on the greenhouse effect of the summer sun. For even better cooling, shade windows from the outside with outdoor blinds, shutters or awnings. For long term comfort, plant a deciduous tree on the sunny side of your home.
A more effective solution is opening your windows in the evenings and early mornings to invite the cool air inside — just remember to close them up before the temperature begins to rise. Don’t forget to consider your family’s safety when the windows are open. Screens are not strong enough to prevent a child or pets from falling through, or to keep intruders from climbing in. A wooden dowel in the window frame or sliding glass door track is a cheap and effective way to balance personal safety and personal comfort.
If your home doesn’t have a central air system or a fan over the stove, consider investing in a window fan or two to achieve similar results. These small but mighty fans save space and boost air circulation by either pushing indoor air outdoors or drawing air in from the outside. Two fans can work in concert to circulate and ventilate an entire living space with a continuous breeze.
On a moderately warm day, one fan set up on the shady side of the home will draw cool air indoors while one on the sunny side of the home can force the warm air out to create full-house breeze. When the forecast calls for hotter days, running the fans in the cooler parts of the day will quickly draw cool air indoors. Then you can trap that cool air inside by shutting the windows.
Fans by themselves don’t lower the ambient temperature, but their air-moving abilities make them powerful allies in beating the heat. Even if they’re not accelerating your home’s air circulation, just sitting in front of one can make a big difference.
Air conditioning or no, cooking and baking will heat your home up fast. When possible, avoid using the stovetop or the oven and look to smaller appliances like air fryers, toaster ovens or the outdoor barbeque.
Running through the sprinkler in your yard might earn some funny looks from your neighbors, but there’s no beating the immediate relief of cool water. So, if you’re too hot, a quick, cool shower might be just what you need. For extra relief, leave your hair a little damp and sit in front of the fan.
Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to ecod@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98688.
