Get a fan. Fans “cost little to run” and can make you feel “up to 7 degrees cooler.” On humid summer days, “set the fan on low to remove more moisture from the air.”
Make shade. Close the curtains and blinds, especially for “west-facing windows in the afternoon.” You can help “filter the sun” by adding awnings.
Lighten up. Incandescent bulbs give off “about 75 percent more heat than Energy Star–qualified compact fluorescent lights.” Swap a 60-watt incandescent for a 15-watt CFL, and you’ll not only stay cooler but save “up to $41 over the life of the bulb.”
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Use air conditioning wisely. A “programmable thermostat” lets you raise temperatures while you’re out. Installing an air conditioner in a “shady spot” can “increase its efficiency up to 10 percent.” Don’t bother lowering the temperature on the A/C right after turning it on: This won’t “cool the room any faster” but will use more energy.
Source: Consumer Reports
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