Whether summer is coming or has already arrived, here is a checklist to help keep you cool and your electric bill low. The nice part about this checklist is that not everything needs to be checked off! Just pick and choose the ones that work for you and that your landlord will allow.
Typical Fixes
__ Insulate the walls
__ Replace window air conditioners
__ Switch lights from fluorescent to LED
__ Use curtains for your windows
__ Make sure your vents aren’t blocked
__ Place awnings over the windows
__ Move into a basement apartment
Creative Solutions
__ Reverse the setting of your ceiling fans
__ Open windows to create cross flow in the early morning
__ Place a bowl full of ice and some rock salt in front of a running fan
__ Avoid using the oven and stove
__ Close the doors on rooms that house your electronics
__ Unplug electronics at night
__ Turn off lights when you’re not in the room
__ Close the blinds during the day
__ Freeze your pillows
Personal Matters
__ Place ice packs behind your neck and knees and on your chest
__ Wear loose, lightweight cotton or linen clothing
__ Stay hydrated
__ Take a cold shower
Do as the Romans Do
__ Iran - with strategically placed tunnels, use an underground water source to cool the air and route it into your house.
__ Desert - build high walls to maximize shade
__ Mediterranean - use terra cotta roofing which is light in color and doesn’t retain a lot of heat
__ American Southwest - live in a cliff dwelling
__ India and Thailand - eat spicy food which allows you to sweat without raising body temperature
__ The Shire - live in an underground space, such as a hill
