Summer Cooling Tips

The high heat of summer can affect your pocketbook in many ways. Consider these money-saving tips:

INDOORS

• Grill your meals outdoors to keep the kitchen cool.


• Use insulated curtains on windows where the sun hits the hardest.


• Keep the windows shut when your house is cooler than outdoors, but open windows when outside temperatures cool.


• Caulk windows, doors and air conditioning spaces to keep the heat out and cold in.


• Close vents and doors in unused spaces of your home.


• Use fans to aid the air conditioning.


• Service your air conditioner annually.


• Upgrade to a smart thermostat.

ON THE ROAD

• To save fuel and prevent breakdowns, tune-up your vehicle regularly, change oil and air filters, service the air conditioner, inflate tires properly and follow the manufacturer’s specifications for additional upkeep.


• Open the windows to let the hot air out before blasting your vehicle’s AC, then close them.


• Close fresh air vents to keep the hot air out or open them and turn off the AC when cooler outside.


• Park in the shade and garage when possible or use a sunshade when you can’t.


• Avoid quick starts and stops, use the cruise control and reduce your speed.

OUTDOORS

• Keep hydrated and use sunscreen.


• Limit consumption of caffeine and alcohol, which can trigger dehydration.


• Wear a sun hat and light-colored cotton.


• Stay in the shade as much as possible.


• Exercise indoors or early morning or late evening.


• Use products like wearable ice and personal fans to help keep you cool.


• Be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion, which include heavy sweating, rapid pulse, dizziness, fatigue, cool, moist skin with goose bumps, muscle cramps, nausea and headache.