Tips for beating the summer heat without turning the AC down.

With summer in full swing you may find yourself trying to stay cool. Here are tips for beating the summer heat without turning the AC down and running your electric bill up.

• Switch your ceiling fan to turn counter-clockwise. When no one is in the room turn it off; celling fans cool people with the wind chill effect—not the room itself.
• Close curtains and draw blinds to block the sun’s heat. Energy.gov provides a list of window coverings that reduce energy loss.
• Use bathroom and kitchen fans to remove humidity because high humidity makes us feel hotter than the actual temperature. Remember to turn the fans off 20 minutes after you’re done cooking or bathing.
• Make a calendar reminder to clean or replace the AC filter regularly. Most systems recommend once a month. This will help reduce energy consumption by 5-15% as well as wear and tear on your system.
• Seal up air leaks to keep hot air out and cooler air in. Learn more about air sealing your home.
• Use a programmable thermostat to cool your home according to your schedule. Keep the house warmer when you are gone and lower the setting when you’re home.
• Turn off lights (especially incandescent ones if you still use them) and electronics that are not in use because they generate heat.
• Schedule some chores for nighttime. Washers, dryers and dishwashers all generate heat. Run them after sundown when temperatures are cooler.
• Cook outside whenever possible. Check out this video guide on how to grill everything from steaks and brats to veggies and dessert.

If these tips aren’t enough to keep you cool, check out these 10 summer beverages for beating the heat.

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