How Cool Are You This Summer?

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By Chloe Comfort



Most of your summer energy costs come from cooling your home. Here are some easy ways to keep cool and money in your wallet!

  • Use an automatic setback thermostat! If you keep your temperature set at 78 degrees when you are a home, and then 85 degrees when you're not, you will save money.
  • Consider sun control for your windows! Windows waste the most energy in your home. Solar screens or sun control film can reduce the heat from the sun in your home up to 75%.
  • Switch to energy efficient comfort systems! New comfort systems save energy, work more effectively, increase comfort, and improve indoor air quality. You might be able to cut your heating and air conditioning costs by 50% or more with the new systems that are now available.
  • Use those fans! Air movement can help you feel cooler by aiding in the evaporation of perspiration. Ceiling fans only use as much energy as a 100-watt bulb. By increasing room air movement, they create a cooling sensation, increasing perceived comfort at higher temperatures. Operating fans when you are not in the room uses enregy for no benefit and adds heat from the fan motor. Be sure to turn the fans off when leaving the room or the house.
  • Tune-up your air conditioning system! One of the most important things you can do to reduce your energy usage is to get annual air conditioning service. This will return your air conditioner to near factory fresh conditions, restoring lost capacity, preventing breakdowns, and saving enough in utilities to pay for the cost of the maintenance.
  • Control your heat source! Your lights, appliances and electronics add heat. Be sure to turn off any lights when not in use and replace your old lightbulbs with compact fluorescents as they use less energy and generate less heat. Many appleances continue to draw low levels of power when they are off or in standby mode. This costs money and adds heat. Plug your electronic products into power strips that can be switched off. Cooking is another significant heat source. Use the backyard grill when possible. When it's not possible, try not to use a full size oven, use a toaster oven instead.  
  • Get a trim! Trim any hedges or shrubs that are around your outside air conditioning system. This will ensure that the airflow is unrestricted.

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In The News...

  • Grant funding will save BU in energy costsThe Milton Standard-Journal13 hours ago

    LEWISBURG — A $250,000 grant from the state will assist Bucknell University in replacing two campus air-handling units this summer, allowing the university to save $100,000 and 380,000 kilowatt hours of energy per year for the next 20 years.

  • Clean energy can be our 21st-century moon shotNorth South Brunswick Sentinel2 days ago

    Alot of heat — and not so much light — has been made about the U.S. House vote this summer to pass the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which will start to move this country to a clean energy economy.

  • Editorial : Wind energy, a political maelstromThe Martha's Vineyard Times14 hours ago

    Believing they have achieved some success in winning concessions from the state that will allow the Vineyard to exercise some control over large wind-energy installations planned near the Vineyard shore, Island critics of the state's Oceans Plan have turned their attention to the Elizabeth Islands, which together form Gosnold, one of the seven Dukes County towns.


Summer is a difficult season for pets. Heat stroke is the number one cause of death in pets during this time.

  • Never ever leave your pet in the car! Many people don't realize just how little time it takes for the inside of a car to heat up.
  • Always keep your pet hydrated! Supply a large bowl full of water and place it in the shade. Make sure to keep it fresh and cool. It doesn't hurt to add ice cubes.
  • Make sure your pet has plenty of shade! Especially if they are bound to a limited space with a leash.
  • Do not run with your pet during the hot parts of the day! Run with your pet in the early morning or early evening when it's cooler outside.
  • Spray your pet down with cool water beforeheading off to work! Start their day off right - nice and cool. In the middle of the day, you can always spray they again. It will be appreciated.
  • If you sense any signs of heat stroke, call your vet immediately! Symptoms can include excessive panting, hot body temperature, bloody diarrhea, vomiting or coma.

  • Pet products get the tech treatmentCNN12 hours ago

    Gadgets are not soft and cuddly, and there are no downloadable upgrades for slobbering mutts. But with enthusiasm for pets growing unabated, and technology digging ever deeper into our lives, the two seemingly unrelated worlds increasingly touch.

  • VOICE OF THE PEOPLE | DEC. 17., 2009The Rock Hill Herald10 hours ago

    I have seen a lot of news recently concerning how the fight over abortion could be the downfall of the health care bill being debated in U.S. Senate. If the health care bill gets killed, I will be pleased regardless of the reason why. More so, I am supportive of the effort to keep abortion funding out of the bill because I do not feel that elective procedures should be covered under a public ...

  • Heartworm prevention is not where to cut backThe Biloxi Sun Herald13 hours ago

    Unfortunately, I hear daily how things are tougher than they used to be when it comes to spending on the care of pets.


The Only Investment that Guarantees a Positive Return

Is it Stocks? No.

Is it Bonds? No.

Is it Gold? No.

 

What’s The Best Investment?

Making Your Home More Energy Efficient.

 

Think about it. When you improve the efficiency of your home and use less gas and electricity, you save money. You’re guaranteed a positive return on whatever you invest to make your home more environmentally friendly and efficient.

 

Replace your air conditioner, furnace or heat pump with a new high-efficiency model and your utility usage will go down. You’ll pay less, and save more. When’s the last time you were as confident about your investments in the stock market?

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smallbizpro profile image

smallbizpro  says:
2 years ago

Great advice, Chloe, and timed to perfection. It's surprising how many people ignore even the simplest of things that can save so much (and not just money).

Thanks for sharing!

quiet tracer profile image

quiet tracer  says:
2 years ago

nice hub man!

I have also a similar one

hubpages.com/hub/how-to-keep-yourself-cool-in-hot-summer

Chloe Comfort profile image

Chloe Comfort  says:
2 years ago

Thanks! I'm glad you both enjoyed my hub.

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