Trying to keep your air conditioning bill down? Here are 20 ways to stay cool without touching the thermostat:
- Wear less clothing
- Wear breatheable, natural fabrics like cotton, silk and linen
- Wear light-colored clothing
- Remove your hat and shoes when you go indoors to give your body a chance to cool off
- Keep curtains/blinds closed during the heat of the day
- If your house has multiple levels, try to spend most of your time on the lower levels where the temperature will be coolest
- Minimize the use of your oven
- Wait until after the sun has gone down to run your dishwasher, dryer and other heat-producing appliances
- Line-dry your clothes to avoid using the dryer
- Use ceiling fans to create a breeze and to recirculate air
- Drink lots of cold beverages
- Eat something cold
- Run the bathroom fan after you shower to pull the humidity out of the house
- Trade your hot shower in for a cold one
- Let your hair air dry, and enjoy the cooling effect of wet hair while you wait for it to dry
- Minimize the amount of bedding that you use
- Set up a kiddie pool in the backyard, and take a dip
- Make sure all air vents are free of obstructions. If they're covered with furniture, the cool air won't reach you – even though you've paid for it
- Close your fireplace flue to avoid losing cool air
- Head to the library or store to enjoy someone else's air conditioning for a while
