The dog days of summer are upon us and your air conditioner is probably working overtime to keep you and your family cool. To help save on energy costs consider these three tricks to chill without running up your cooling bill.
Curtain call
When the day’s heat has begun to subside, but things are still a little hot and muggy, consider giving your air conditioner a break and letting a bed sheet pick up the slack. Here’s what to do. Grab a damp sheet from the laundry. Instead of placing it in the dryer, or on a clothesline, drape it across the curtain rod of an open window. When the evening breeze blows through, evaporating water from the damp sheet will help cool the air.
Make your bed and lie in it (but in a good way)
While we’re on the topic of bed sheets, here’s a simple trick. Tuck a sheet into a gallon Ziploc bag and place it in the freezer an hour or two before bedtime. When you’re ready to turn in for the night, retrieve your cool sheet, dress your bed, and chill out—literally.
In general, be sure to adjust your bedding according to the season. For instance, flannel sheets and heavier blankets are great for keeping you snug during the cooler fall and winter seasons, but when it comes to staying comfortable in the summer—not so much. So during the dog days of summer opt for a fabric like cotton, since it stays cooler and breathes easier.
Ice, ice, baby
Here’s a quick and simple hack to beat the heat. Fill a large bowl with ice and position it in front of a fan so that air blows across the ice. The chilled air will help keep you cool. You can also use an ice pack instead of a bowl of ice.
