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Simple Ways to Get Ready for a Greener Summer |
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Written by Stephanie Foster
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Spring is here and I'm already thinking about summer. In my area
that's easy, since days get over 80 degrees F with some
regularity already. But summer presents some challenges to
living a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. Today I'd like
to share some of my tips for keeping cool during the summer
without using a lot of electricity.
Tip #1: Set the air conditioner thermostat to 78 or higher (if
you use it in the first place)
The higher you set the thermostat, the less energy you're going
to use, obviously. If you're finding it difficult to endure a
warmer house, work your way up to it. Remember that people got
along for a very long time with no air conditioning at all.
My own thermostat is typically set somewhere over 80, but the
air conditioner is also generally turned off. You can get used
to very warm temperatures if you don't insist on adapting to air
conditioned temperatures.
Tip #2: Try to keep the house from getting hot in the first
place.
Good insulation really helps, but another key is to keep the
heat from coming in through the windows. I have old cardboard
boxes from the last time we moved. As the days get warmer, they
get put into windows to help keep the heat out. More ambitious
people cover cardboard with black cloth or aluminum foil to keep
still more heat out.
Curtains also help. My office gets direct sunlight all morning
in summer through the French doors, which are much harder to
block with cardboard. But heavy curtains, sometimes supplemented
by a sheet or blanket on really hot days, do quite a bit to
control the heat.
Tip #3: Use fans.
While fans don't really cool a room, they do make it feel
cooler, and they use much less electricity than air
conditioners. Ceiling fans are my own preference, but portable
ones are nice if you don't have a ceiling fan available.
Tip #4: Dress in cool, light clothes.
Should be obvious, but sometimes it's easy to forget that
lighter and more breathable fabrics really are more comfortable
in warm weather. Cotton can be wonderfully comfortable.
Tip #5: Install or start using a clothesline.
In some areas this is more challenging than others, as
homeowners' associations often have rules against clotheslines,
but do the best you can. If you can't have one outside, take
advantage of the warmth of your house and use clothes racks
indoors. Line drying is gentler on clothes and is very kind to
your power bills.
Tip #6: Think before you cook.
During the summer my crockpot gets a lot of use because it
doesn't heat the house the way the oven does. And of course
there's always grilling outside or even using a solar oven.
There are a lot of resources on line on how to build your own
solar oven, or of course you can buy one.
Tip #7: Drink a lot of water.
You will feel better if you keep yourself well hydrated. Get a
good quality water bottle that you can keep filled throughout
the day. You can keep a bottle of water in the fridge or just
use tap water and ice cubes to ensure easy access to a cold
drink of water all day long.
Obviously, don't buy individual plastic water bottles from the
grocery store if you're trying to be green about it. If you're
concerned about the quality of your tap water it's better to get
a filter for it. Filtered water is still cheaper than buying it
from the store.
There's plenty more you can do, depending on the commitment you
want to make, but these tips should help you to get started.
Long term possibilities include things such as planting trees or
adding insulation to your home. Now is a good time to start so
you're ready before the weather really heats up.
About the Author:
Stephanie Foster blogs at
www.greensahm.com
about being a green stay at home mom. She offers more tips on
budget environmentalism at her site.
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