As summer approaches and temperatures rise, energy bills often follow suit as air conditioners work overtime. Fortunately, there are ways to keep your home cool while maintaining energy efficiency and keeping costs manageable.
While air conditioning is a lifesaver during sweltering heat, it comes with environmental trade-offs. Air conditioners are a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, which exacerbate global warming and lead to more extreme heat waves. Scientists warn that temperatures are expected to rise annually, but you can strike a balance between staying comfortable and reducing environmental impact.
Here are 12 practical tips to help:
1. Clean Your Air Conditioner
Blocked vents and dirty filters hinder airflow, forcing your air conditioner to work harder. Regularly cleaning the vents, filters, and ducts—or hiring a professional to do so—ensures smooth airflow, improving efficiency and lowering energy costs.
2. Schedule Professional Maintenance
Even if you handle basic cleaning yourself, it’s wise to have a professional inspect your air conditioning system. They can identify issues such as faulty wiring or poor airflow, helping prevent costly repairs later.
3. Maintain a Consistent Temperature
Avoid large temperature fluctuations during the day. Keeping the thermostat steady reduces strain on your air conditioner during peak heat hours.
4. Opt for a Higher Temperature
Setting the thermostat to around 70°F instead of lower temperatures can cut energy use by up to 20%. Lowering the temperature too much not only increases costs but also impacts the environment.
5. Turn It Off When Possible
Take advantage of cooler nights and breezy weather by turning off the air conditioner and opening windows. When no one is home, turn off the system or set it to a higher temperature (around 70°F) to conserve energy and give the unit a break.
6. Be Mindful of Peak Hours
Energy usage peaks in the afternoon and evening when temperatures are highest. Spend time at cooler spots, such as a local pool, lake, or air-conditioned public space, to reduce reliance on your air conditioner during these hours.
7. Close Windows During the Day
If you’ve enjoyed cool night breezes with open windows, remember to shut them in the morning to keep the rising heat out.
8. Block Out Sunlight
Closing blinds or curtains during the day can significantly reduce the amount of heat entering your home, keeping your air conditioner from overworking.
9. Use Fans Alongside Your Air Conditioner
Ceiling fans are excellent for circulating cool air, allowing you to rely less on your air conditioner while maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature.
10. Cook Strategically
Minimize the use of heat-producing appliances during the hottest parts of the day. Opt for microwave or slow cooker meals instead of using the oven. Alternatively, prepare cold dishes like salads or charcuterie boards to keep your home cool.
11. Improve Ventilation and Insulation
Proper insulation is key to efficient cooling. Seal any cracks or gaps, use weatherstripping, and ensure your attic or basement is well-insulated to prevent cool air from escaping.
12. Invest in a Smart Thermostat
Although smart thermostats require an upfront investment, their programmable features help optimize energy usage. They can adjust temperatures automatically while you’re away, ensuring efficiency without sacrificing comfort.
By adopting these tips, you can enjoy a cooler, more energy-efficient summer while keeping costs—and your environmental impact—in check.
Dolly Parton was criticized for looking “cheap” and “ugly,” but she has responded.
Dolly Parton has enjoyed a long and incredibly successful career in the spotlight.
Her talents have spanned decades and styles, making her a constant presence in the entertainment industry for as long as we can remember.
Despite her legendary status, she still has to deal with critics. Recently, some people have been giving her a hard time about her looks, even though she’s nearing her eighties.
Dolly Parton, 77, is a well-known name in both country music and the celebrity world.
The Tennessee native is a true legend and has loved entertaining her fans throughout her long career.
In a recent interview with Pollystar, Dolly explained that she won’t be touring anymore. She said:
“I’ll do special shows here and there, maybe a long weekend of shows or a few at a festival. But I have no plans to do a full tour anymore,” Dolly Parton said.
Dolly, who rose to the top of the entertainment world after growing up in poverty in the Appalachian Mountains, will definitely be missed on stage.
Despite her undeniable popularity, some people still criticize Dolly Parton for her appearance.
In fact, her appearance has been a topic of criticism since the start of her career. Dolly has even mentioned that people used to tell her to change her signature look if she wanted a serious career.
“The main advice people gave me was to change my look—simplify my hair and the way I dress,” she explained.
“They would say I looked too cheap and that no one would ever take me seriously.”
Over the years, the mean comments haven’t stopped. Some people feel even more justified in labeling Dolly unfairly.
One Twitter user wrote, “Dolly Parton is one ugly lady,” while another said, “Dolly Parton is so ugly, but she has nice breasts.”
Despite the unkind comments online, Dolly stays positive. She is comfortable with her body and looks, and she isn’t about to change for anyone.
“It costs a lot of money to look this cheap,” she once famously said.
Regarding her husband, Dolly has shared that he loves her no matter what.
“He doesn’t care if I’m fat,” Dolly said. “He’s fool enough to think I’m the sexiest, prettiest woman in the world.”
Dolly is always eager for new challenges. According to Rolling Stone, she’s ready to embrace her 2022 entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by creating an album that might be outside her usual style.
Fans were thrilled when it was announced that Dolly was being considered for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However, Dolly herself was initially hesitant, believing that, since her career was mostly in country music, others might be more deserving of the honor.
In the end, the voters decided that Dolly belonged in the Hall of Fame. In November, she was inducted and immediately began working to prove that she deserved the recognition.
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