Making the Cut: How Low Can We Go?
Another way we’re working to keep our living expenses low is by challenging ourselves not to use the air conditioner (or the heat at other seasons of the year) for as long as possible. Actually, we haven’t technically set the goal for “as long as possible,” but we are trying to make it until June without turning on the AC! Only 1 more week! But Greenville’s May weather this year has made it hardly difficult at all. So, perhaps we’ll set our goal to make it through June, too! I love seeing electric bills for under $50 or $60! (Because our winter heat bills more than make up for the difference…even if the heater doesn’t work! :))
Our house is poorly insulated, and the upstairs (which is where our bedroom and our little girl’s bedroom are located) gets quite hot in the afternoons. Thus, there have been a few times when it really has been a struggle not to go flip on the air conditioning. Here are a few things that have helped us stay cool:
- Fans. Really, this is one of the biggest things you can do to keep a house cool. We have a box fan in our upstairs bedroom window at night, as well as an overhead fan. It hasn’t really gotten hot enough to need to use fans in our downstairs yet, though.
- Keeping the blinds closed when it is sunny and really hot.
- Doing high energy activities in the morning.
- Going somewhere cool if it gets really hot.
- Our 15-month old takes a nap during the afternoon heat; so if it really hot, she sleeps in just a diaper and we spray her down (she loves it!) before her nap. She still wakes up slightly sweaty, but she seems comfortable.
- Drinking lots of water.
- Going to bed after a cold shower and with wet hair.
All told, going without AC during some hot times has been a great experience for us, particularly as we anticipate be living in more “rustic” settings. Not working in an office or constantly being in a heavily air-conditioned environment has made it easier for my daughter and I to adjust to the change of weather. Though, in the dead of summer it sure makes church seem cold! But we are still spoiled; and if it gets super, super hot, this pregnant lady plans to turn on some air conditioning. Additionally, we rarely use lights during the daytime, but there are probably still a lot of areas where we could cut back on our use of electricity.
What about you? I know lots of people who set a “no AC” goal–how long does yours go? What are your tips for staying cool?
May 22nd, 2009 at 5:55 pm
we have a temperature threshold (looks like we’re going to make it through May also!). We don’t turn on the a/c until it gets 83 in the house.
May 22nd, 2009 at 9:31 pm
we are trying to put off turning on our AC also! great tips!
May 23rd, 2009 at 1:39 am
We line-dry our clothes to avoid using the dryer. Also, we sometimes “wear” cold, wet washcloths on our necks during the hottest times of the day.
May 23rd, 2009 at 3:32 pm
On rooms that get very hot during the day we hang bamboo style shades outside the window on hooks. Blocking the sun before it gets in makes it way cooler.http://www.windowdesigner.com/vinylbamboorollupshades.html
May 25th, 2009 at 4:27 am
We have also been able to NOT turn on the AC yet. I line dry clothes as much as possible. On a nice warm day, I can dry several loads. If I do need to use the dryer, I try to use it during NON-PEAK hours. I have a playarea in the basement that we go to when we get warm. It stays nice and cool down there!
May 25th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
I’ve already used my a/c for awhile. I have a condition called hyperhidrosis and I am miserable when it is over 70 degrees. Also, I usually can’t use my attic fan because of the pollen and allergies. In the winter I can go for a long time before I have to turn on the heat though.