Now is the time start thinking about your energy consumption because the weather is getting warmer. The heat of summer will arrive before you know it, which means turning up the air conditioner in your apartment. Whether you're trying to beat the heat or illuminate your place, you use energy.
Fortunately, decreasing your carbon footprint doesn't have to mean sacrificing comfort. Check out these energy saving tips to reduce your environmental impact and prevent your air conditioner from over working:
Install and Use Ceiling Fans
Using ceiling fans allows you to decrease the temperature in your home or apartment by 4 degrees Fahrenheit without losing any comfort. Though it may not sound like much, those 4 degrees can add up when it comes time to pay the bills.
Ceiling fans circulate air, preventing heat from hanging near the ceiling. They also promote ventilation by pushing air out of the window and pulling in cool breezes. If your apartment does not have a ceiling fan, ask your landlord to install one or ask if you can purchase one yourself.
Many apartments already have ceiling fans installed, so make the most of your fan by using it. This spring, dust the blades and be sure the fan works. Then you can turn it on and decrease the air conditioning energy you consume come summer.
Hang Light Curtains
Some energy saving tips don't require as much planning as others, and curtains are one of the easy alterations you can make. Warm sunlight can heat your apartment as it streams in through your windows, but hanging curtains will reduce that greenhouse effect.
You can still enjoy the comfort of natural light by choosing window treatments made of sheer fabric. They help diffuse sunlight while promoting illumination. Keep the curtains closed during the day and increase the temperature on your thermostat to go green. You'll still feel cool because the sun won't be heating your apartment.
Prevent Heat Gain
Many apartments have wall- or window-mounted air conditioning units. While these devices do help cool the apartment, it's easy to seal them improperly. If the unit isn't airtight, you could be letting hot air into the apartment (which forces your air conditioner to work harder to reduce indoor temperatures). Use caulk to seal the edges around your air conditioning unit, which will prevent heat from outdoors entering the room.
You'll notice that the room stays cooler longer and that you can turn the thermostat up a few degrees without feeling uncomfortable. Every degree counts!
Lighten Up
Believe it or not, the color of your decor can make your apartment hotter or colder. Dark colors absorb light and bright ones reflect it (a phenomenon known as albedo). Decorate your apartment with bright shades to prevent heat gain as a result of absorption.
It's the same principle as not wearing black in the summer. You'll feel more comfortable and cool with light colors in your apartment. Pick white, beige and pastels for your warm-weather palette. Cooling your place naturally may help save energy costs because your air conditioner doesn't have to work as hard.
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