Summer temperatures are heating up. Hotter temperatures mean higher electric bills and heat related injuries. Protect yourself and your pockets with these tips to beat the heat, both indoors and out.
Save Energy
The largest cost for most of us during the summer is cooling our homes with the air conditioner. Keeping homes cool with temperatures reaching 100 degrees without breaking the bank can prove to be a difficult task. Doing the little things can make a big difference in energy savings.
- Set your thermostat at 78 degrees – When you’re not at home, turn it up to about 83 or 84 degrees.
- Install a programmable thermostat .
- Change the air filter according to your manufactures directions. A clean air filter will prevent your AC from having to work too hard.
- Only use ceiling fans to cool the room when you are in it. Turn it off when you leave the room.
- Make sure your attic is well insulated. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends homes have between R-22 and R-49 insulation in the attic, which can increase cost savings up to 20 percent. Customers in hotter climates, like Texas should have R-38 to R-49.
- Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent (CFL) because they use 75 percent less energy and emit 90 percent less heat.
- Seal air ducts and cracks to prevent cold air escaping and warm air coming in.
- Use a power strip for all electronic equipment and turn it off when not in use. Electronics produce heat and by plugging in bundled devices into the same power strip such as a TV and DVD player or a computer monitor and printer you’ll not only save energy, but reduce the heat emitted.
Protect Yourself
The sun’s harmful UV rays can have harmful short-term and long-term effects. So whether you are outside for work or play beat the heat and protect yourself by following these easy tips.
- Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. It should be applied 20 minutes before sun exposure.
- Decrease exposure to UV rays by sunglasses, hats and using umbrellas when outside. Darker, thicker clothes can also block rays, but can retain heat so make wise choices when heading out.
- UV rays are most intense between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m, so limit your outdoor exposure during this time if you can.
- Stay well hydrated. Drink plenty of water and replenish sodium in the body by eating meals with recommended levels of sodium or dinking electrolyte solutions.
- Children should drink half a glass to one glass of cool water before activity and half a glass to one glass of water per hour while in the heat and two to three cups within two hours after activity.
- Be aware of warning signs. Heat related injuries include heat rash, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If you experience heat related symptoms, keep the skin cool and dry, rest in a cool place, drink cool fluids, loosen clothing and place cool water on skin to help prevent injury.
- Use a buddy system to encourage hydration and help monitor for the development of heat illness in others.
- If in doubt, seek medical attention.
This summer while you are having fun in the sun, remember to beat the heat and protect yourself and your home! For ideas and more energy saving tips visit us at http://www.saveonenergy.com/section-10-Saving-Tips