It’s normal for summer to be warm, but this year is off to a particularly hot start. And since Ventura County often sees its hottest days in September and October, we know a lot of us are bracing for things to come. That’s especially true if you don’t live in an apartment or home with A/C. And even if you do, you’re probably still feeling like you need to buckle in for sky-high utility bills.
We can’t control the weather. But we can all take some steps to help ourselves and everyone who shares a home with us — from family members to roommates and pets — keep as comfortable as possible. Here are some tips to help Venturans beat the heat and cut utility bills during the warm months ahead.
Draw the shades
Blinds and curtains do more than just block light. They also provide an extra (albeit minor) layer of insulation. And that can make a big difference if you get your house cool at night and want to keep it cool during the day.
Keep your window coverings closed when the sun is up, and especially during midday. The Department of Energy says doing so can reduce heat gain in your home or apartment by a pretty impressive 33%. That can help you cut utility bills during the hottest part of the year.
Then, when the night cools off, consider opening both your windows and your window coverings for a while. If you’re comfortable doing so, sleeping with the window open can help you take advantage of the coolest part of the day.
Switch your fans
If you’re lucky enough to have ceiling fans, you’re probably getting a lot of use out of them right now. But they could actually be doing more harm than good. If your blades are spinning in the wrong direction, they could actually just be pushing the warm air that’s risen to the ceiling back around the room.
In the summer, your ceiling fan blades should turn counterclockwise. This way, the angle of the blades will push air down and create a cooling draft in the room. If your blades are going the wrong way now, making this change is as easy as flipping a switch.
Your ceiling fan should have a switch somewhere near the motor (the place the blades attach to). Find it and flip it. Done!
Also, fans cool people, not rooms. So if you leave a fan on when no one’s in the space, you’re just wasting electricity — and that’s no way to live if you want to cut utility bills.
Cook stove-free
It doesn’t take a genius to know that using your oven and stovetop can make your kitchen and, consequently, your whole house hotter. And after a warm day, the last thing you want is to bring up the temp indoors while you’re making dinner.
Fortunately, a stove-free dinner can go way beyond a PB&J. Here are some delicious ideas from Tasty and The Kitchn. Plus, if you’re looking to cut utility bills, skipping your gas-based appliances can help you save.
Here’s to staying cool this summer!
If you’re looking for a way to chill out mentally, we’re here. We’ve got a broad range of services here at the Ventura Counseling & Wellness Center. Don’t hesitate to get in touch!
