With the arrival of summer and high temperatures, keeping rooms cool can become quite challenging. Synonymous for cool rooms is usually air conditioning, but with that comes huge indents in our electricity bills. Taking into consideration that summer is the season that brings additional vacation costs, every saving is worthwhile. Therefore, we spoke to Jasmin Mangafić, head of the Energy Efficiency Project for BiH (BEEP), which is implemented by the Federal Ministry of Physical Planning to bring you some useful tips to keep you energy-efficiently cool this summer.
- Close your Blinds
Blinds and curtains will block out solar heat, keeping your room several degrees cooler. Close your blinds in the morning before leaving for work and leave them closed until the evening when temperatures fall. Then, make sure to properly ventilate your home, because for complete comfort, in addition to temperature, air quality is important.
- Instead of Air Conditioning, why not try a Ceiling Fan?
Experts in energy efficiency recommend using a ceiling fan as they use considerably less electricity compared to air conditioners.
Not only do they lower the room temperature, they also distribute and circulate air making it is easier to maintain optimum temperatures. Ceiling fans simulate wind keeping you cool so be sure to turn them off when you are not in the room, saving additional money on your electricity bill.
Apart from not consuming a large amount of energy, ceiling fans have several other advantages: installation and maintenance are simple, they are portable and flexible, and prices are affordable.
- Set Your Thermostat
If you opt for air conditioning, be sure to adjust it to the correct temperature. The ideal temperature is different for each room. The recommended temperature for the corridor is between 14 to 17 degrees celsius, the bedroom is 17 degrees, the kitchen and office from 17 to 21 degrees, and the living room from 20 to 23 degrees.
Also, using a smart thermostat will enable you to continuously control the heat of rooms as it automatically switches off when it reaches the desired temperature, thereby preventing unnecessary energy consumption.
- Reduce your use of Household Appliances
During hot summer days, avoid using household appliances, such as the dryer, washing machine or dishwasher, at least during the day. Also, avoid using the oven, and replace it by cooking on an electric stove or using a microwave. With the conviction that all these activities generate additional heat accumulated in your home, using them less frequently will result in cooler rooms and less consumed electricity.
- Prevent Hot Air from Entering
Preventing hot air from entering or reducing the amount of air that uncontrollably penetrates into your home is an effective way of reducing cooling costs during summer. Proper insulation combined with newer and better quality carpentry will significantly help keep your living space fresher. If your budget does not allow you to change the carpentry of your home, sealing windows is another way to increase their efficiency.