Keep Cool While Maintaining Your Energy Bills Low This Summer

The rising temperatures don't necessarily mean that your energy bills must rise too. You don't need to keep your air conditioner in full blast to remain cool. Try out these summer tricks to keep your come in Palm Springs fresh.

Easy Tricks to Keep Your Home Cool This Summer

Summer is great isn’t it? Pool parties, sunny days, picnics, ice cream, and sweating. Yes, the downside of summer days is the high temperatures that make you sweat. No one like being sweaty, especially if you’re just relaxing at home. The solution is obviously turning on the air conditioner. Unfortunately, the price of cool is higher energy bills. You don’t need to choose between staying cool and saving money this summer. There are a number of simple things you can to get your house summer ready, reduce your expenses, and remain comfortable. Try these tips Daniel’s DKI brings you to beat the heat and save energy this summer in Palm Springs.

Go Easy on the Kitchen

Summer isn’t the best time to stay holed up in the kitchen. Cooking on the stove, baking in the oven, and using a number of other appliances make the temperature there rise. Try microwaving your food, use your outdoor grill, or simply make good use of your slow cooker so that you don’t have to be in the kitchen. You can also browse online for no-cook meals like salads, sandwiches, sushi, and wraps.

Change Your Bedding

Give your room a fresh change by swapping your bedding for something cooler. While flannel and fleece are great for insulation during the winter, summer calls for cotton. If you’re going to be tossing and turning because of the heat, better get a cooler fabric that breathes easier. Want to go the extra mile in adding freshness to your bed? Buy a buckwheat pillow, it won’t trap your body heat like regular pillows do.

Use Your Drapes

Curtains, blinds, and general window dressings aren’t there just to look pretty. They can help you lower your energy bills by keeping your house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Around 30% of the heat you feel comes through the windows. The simple action of closing your blinds during the hottest hours of the day can lower your bills up to seven percent. If you can, use insulating curtains to regulate the temperature year round.

Dry Your Dishes and Clothes the Old School Way

Before drying machines and dish washers were invented people used other methods to dry their things. In fact, some people still do. Using your dishwasher daily uses a lot of energy and generates more heat. If you’re not willing to part with it, use your dishwasher in the morning and leave the dishes to dry naturally. As for your clothes, you can just hang them up to dry outside. The sun will have them dry quickly.

Maintain Your AC

Sometimes turning the air conditioner really is necessary. If your AC system is in poor shape, it will consume more energy and have a shorter life. Be constant with basic maintenance, such as cleaning or replacing the air filter. You can do it on your own, or hire a pro if you’re feeling unsure. By spending on a well-maintained air conditioner you can end up saving even more in the future. Daniel's DKI offers many other home restoration options that can help you make your home more energy efficient. You can call them at (760) 320-2128 to learn about their many services.

Adjust Your Ceiling Fans

To start with, you should already be adjusting your ceiling fans seasonally. During the summer, you should set them to rotate counter-clockwise. You can do this by simply pushing the switch located at the base of the fan. When the fan is at high speed it will create cooler air by pushing the airflow downwards.  You can also try this cool trick to turn your regular fans into "air conditioners".

Change Your Light Bulbs

If possible, try to turn off the lights and enjoy the natural light. If you can’t do that, switch from incandescence light bulbs to fluorescent or CFLs. Incandescent lights waste 90 percent more energy and produce more heat.

Think About Yourself

Instead of worrying about all the changes you can do to make your home cooler, think about what you can do to yourself to regulate your body temperature. Staying cool begins here. Have readily available cool drinks like iced tea, lemonade, or just fresh water. Apply a cold cloth to areas of your body like your neck and wrists where your pulse is stronger. Be mindful of the clothes you wear and what fabrics they’re made from. Remember cotton is always a good and breathable option.

Make it Permanent

Making a couple of changes at home can keep you cooler for many seasons to come, if you’re interested in more permanent changes. Use insulated window films since they work similarly to blinds. Plant some trees or vines in the front facing windows of your home. The plants will shield the windows and absorb some of the heat.

Call Daniel’s DKI for all Your Summer Home Restoration Projects in Palm Desert

If you need to make some changes to make your home cooler in Palm Springs for the summer, call Daniel's DKI. They offer their construction, cleaning, and content services for all your home restoration projects. Call them at (760) 320-2128 and talk to them about more ways to make your home more energy efficient.