Time to pay up after June/July heat and humidity
Remember those hot and humid July days, when you took shelter from the swelter and enjoyed the comfort of your air conditioning? Well, it’s time to pay the bill, and for those with A/C in Minnesota, there may be some sticker shock this time around.
The National Weather Service cooling degree index indicates bills for cooling homes and businesses in the Twin Cities will be 42 percent above normal since June 1st. Xcel Energy told FOX 9 it’s seeing an average 10 percent increase on bills comparing July 2011 to July 2010.
For some, air conditioning isn’t an option. Others are just looking for ways to save money, but Xcel Energy’s Jean Hammer has a short list of tips that can help residents beat the heat.
Hammer said windows are a great place to start, and said on sunny days, the windows, blinds and curtains should always be drawn on the sun-facing side of the home despite the desire to let fresh air.
“In the morning, I would recommend shutting the shades if you know the sun is going to be on this side of the house,” hammer said.
If you don’t have air conditioning you can open a window and use a box fan to push hot air out and bring cool air in. At the peak of the day, position the fan to blow hot air out of the shaded side of your house, then switch the direction of the fan after the sun drops to pull cool air back inside.
Window air conditioning units work best on the shady side of the home as well.
The energy-efficiency experts at Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association also gave the following tips for keeping cool indoors.
- Choose meals that don’t contribute additional heat to your home by using a microwave or outdoor grill, or by eating cold food like sandwiches and fruit.
- Delay running the dishwasher until after 10 p.m.
- Delay washing clothes until after 10 p.m.
- Keep the refridgerator stocked, that way it won’t have to work so hard to keep cool.
- Turn off excess lights
- Turn off computers and other electrical equipment when not in use.
- Keep ceiling fans running counter-clockwise.
- Avoid leaving doors open for extended periods of time.
- Consider traveling to a nearby lake, community pool, mall, movie theater or restaurant to beat the heat.
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