Cool off This Summer in Your Home: Reduce Your Cost

Cool off This Summer in Your Home Reduce Your Cost

Flowers are in its full bloom and the fragrance waft in the air. Summer is the best time to play in the sun and on the beach of course, and this is the season where everyone seems to feel happier than any time of the year. For some, going to the beach or pool is the best destination to escape the summer heat and to cool off.

However, for those who would rather stay at home, things can get sweaty especially in the Arizona heat. And most of the household's concerns during this time of the year is the higher electrical bills. But there are time-tested tips you can use to cool off this summer within your home and reduce your cost.

Shut off Heat Sources

Incandescent light bulbs are a mini-heaters in disguise. During the day, keep the majority of your lights since it produces energy and heat. You should also turn off the TV since it gives a lot of heat.

Insulate your Attic

This should be on your things-to-do list. In the summertime your attic is really hot and the heat is always trying to transfer to a cooler space. The right insulation can decrease the heat that is transferred from the sun to your house. Another bonus is that there may be government grants to help offset the cost for this kind of upgrade.

[caption id="attachment_4837" align="alignleft" width="250"] Shut off Heat Sources[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4838" align="alignright" width="250"] Insulate your Attic[/caption]



Close and Open the Windows Strategically

Closing the windows and blinds in the daylight will help block the sun's heat. Do this even before the sun hits your home and keep it closed until the night falls and it's cool enough to open the windows for the night.

Cool Down your House with Fans

Position a ceiling fan, an upstairs window fan or an attic fan to draw off the heat collected in upper rooms and push the heat outdoors. Set up your portable fan so that the fan sucks up cooler air from the floor below, and blows hot air upwards towards the ceiling.

Get Wet

If you're hot, cool off your core temperature by immersing yourself in cold water. Take a cold shower or go swimming but don't stay in sun-exposed water for too long. For quick relief, wet your wrists and other pulse points with cold water, and then keep those spots cool by holding an ice cube wrapped in a face cloth against them. It cools the blood in your veins, and instantly makes you feel cooler. You could also run your pulse under some cold water or just splash some cold water on your face to stay at a desirable temperature. The relief is immediate, and this method will cool down your entire body.

[caption id="attachment_4839" align="alignleft" width="250"] Close and Open the Windows[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4840" align="alignright" width="250"] Drink Plenty of Water[/caption]



Dress Appropriately

Wear summer clothing. Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing in natural fabrics like linen and cotton will help to keep you cooler. Also, wear light colors. Darker colors will absorb the sun's heat and stay warmer longer than light or white clothing, which reflects light and heat.

Drink Plenty of Water

During summer you sweat more and you have to replenish the lost water in your body. Drink a glass of cold water and keep a bottle with you always. The last thing you want to do is to pass out from dehydration so don't risk dehydration.

In Arizona the electric companies offer incentives to help reduce your cost of electricity in your home.

The following are retrofit improvement services that AZEEH provides with their corresponding APS rebate amounts:

• Air Leak Sealing:Up to $250 for improving the insulation efficiency by decreasing infiltration due to air leaks


• Insulation Improvements & Addition:Up to $250 rebate on insulation improvement where the existing insulation has a R-value of R-19 or less.


• Leaky Duct Sealing:Up to $250 to fix, repair, or seal leaks in the ac duct system


• Solar Window Screens:Up to $250 to cover the South, East, West windows with solar window shade screens


• Other rebates provided by APS include but are not limited to upgrades in cooling systems, lighting, appliances, pool pumps and timers.

In places like Arizona where there is no shortage of sunshine every day feels like a great day, however, when it gets warmer enjoy the cool while reducing your cost – It’s the green thing to do.

Cool off This Summer in Your Home: Reduce Your Cost

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