When thinking of insulation, people tend to think of how it is so important in keeping your house warm in the winter months. But keeping your home cool in summer months is just as important, particularly with the unusually warm temperatures currently being experienced across the UK. There are other things you can do that will contribute to a cooler home. Monitoring your energy usage will not only keep you comfortably cool when there is a heatwave, but it will also save you money. Here are a few simple tips to conserve energy:
Appliances
These mod-cons are also the biggest consumers of your total energy. A few ways to trim the excess usage with your regularly utilised appliances include using the cold water setting on the washing machine. And why not use the sunny days to line-dry the washing outside? Hand washing your dishes as soon as they are used will not only ensure everything is clean when you need it, but it will save you a bundle on your energy bill. Large appliances produce significant heat when in use, so the less you use them the cooler your home will be.
A very simple way to keep your house cool is to keep blinds and curtains closed in the day time. We all want to let the sunshine flood our homes, but this actually heats up your house. Keeping the sun out avoids the use of fans and air conditioning.
Air Conditioning
It’s more efficient to turn your air con on and off for short intervals rather running it at a steady temperature. In the interim, you can use fans to move the cooler air around the house if you don’t have central heating/cooling. Be sure you maintain your unit for peak efficiency.
Cooking
Your oven has one job-to make your food hot. The same goes for its effect on your home. Using a microwave is more energy efficient than the oven without emitting nearly as much heat.