Ways to Save Money to Cool Your Home

I do not live in a centrally air conditioned place. I do not want to, either, unless it has separate zones with independent controls. However, this summer of heat wave and drought is pushing me to my limits. In July, my area had 20 days of 90 degrees F or higher. This is WAY above our normal temperature for July. As if that weren’t enough, we had a three day streak over 100 degrees F with an all-time record breaking 106 degrees F on July 22. It was enough to make me lose concern over any conventional solutions. I need to get cool without spending any money.

When you have finally GONE BALLISTIC over the unbearable, oppressive heat in your apartment or house and DON’T CARE what anyone thinks about your measures to stay cool during this recession summer, then these are the tips for you.

Yes. You probably (we hope!) own some. The home cooling experts recommend blocking the sunlight, which can also be called “heatlight,” from entering. People with money can buy black-out types of heat reflecting curtains or heat reflecting film to apply directly to the window glass. We ingenious people are going to accomplish the same heat blocking by hanging towels over the already closed curtains. It is an extra layer of blockage and costs nada. Additionally, the placement is 100% adjustable, so if you do have a window air conditioner, it is very simple to place the towel in a way that does not impede its function. In contrast, another set of curtains would probably need to be rigged or pinned and take aggravating time to position, in addition to the expense.

If you do not have enough towels, other big pieces of fabric, such as sheets or tablecloths would be better than nothing. Or, if you are really without enough towels, cardboard from flattened boxes can be used albeit with the complication of securing with tape or other means.

This one really hurts. I love a breeze or the even the smell of non-breezing fresh air. However, I will intellectually concede that once a home is cooled, it is easier to maintain the coolness and lowered humidity than to regain it. (This parallels pain management medicine which holds it is easier to keep pain in check than to let it increase and then try to reduce it again.) Thus, any rooms in which you have an air conditioner should be fiercely protected as if they are sanctuaries. Keep the door shut. Keep the windows closed. Put a draft dodger at the floor by the door. Be extreme. The weather certainly is.

Heat rises; cool sinks. We all know that from grade school science. So, if there is any sort of halfway clean live-able space in your lowest level, live there. In the summer, we set up a dining table in the lower level, because we usually – and our guests always – cannot eat meals in the un-air-conditioned common rooms upstairs. It is no big deal. I have slept in lower level family rooms, dined in man caves, and in this year’s heat, I would be happy to live in the garage if that is the coolest place.

If you are one the many who are being cheated out of summer because Mother Nature is throwing us into the bake oven, get smart and get cool. Don’t give your hard earned bucks to the power companies. Be sensible and unconventional. Your neighbors may start to think you are the brightest bulb on the block.

Photo and text copyright 2011 Maren Morgan