I sure hope the weather gets a little warmer this summer. I love long summer days at the beach or in the park or even for a stroll through my neighborhood.
When it finally warms up, I switch the time of day that I do my chores. I do them all after 7 p.m. to help save energy and keep my house cooler.
Using the washer and dryer, running the dishwasher, using my oven and stove all create heat. Nights in the Inland Northwest are much cooler than days, so waiting until it starts getting dark outside helps keep my home’s temperature down. This means I don’t need to run the air conditioner as much.
It’s also nice to take a break between a long day of work and my household chores. I can catch up on the news or read a book for a little while before I need to get started.
I keep my curtains closed during the day to keep out the sun’s rays, make sure that any of the leaks that let the cool air escape from my home are all sealed up and I turn on my ceiling fan.
Avoiding the range when I make dinner is also a great way to keep the house cool. Instead, I make a salad or use smaller appliances that don’t generate as much heat to make dinner, like my microwave, air fryer, pressure cooker or outdoor barbecue.
If you are looking for tips to keep your house cool this summer, check out this page on Avista’s website.
Lisa, an Avista customer, bought her 1910 house because she loved the old-world character, some of which doesn’t make her house very energy efficient. Lisa is sharing her experience on taking some simple do-it-yourself improvements to inspire others to do the same. You’ll find her stories right here every Tuesday morning.