Summer is here and the heat is rising, but your electricity bill is one thing you don’t want rising. With the current astronomical price of electricity finding frugal ways to stay cool this summer is a top priority.
In a major heatwave of course you may need to use electric fans or air conditioning but implementing some simple and free things first will help keep that electricity bill as low as possible.
If you want to save money this summer here are some frugal and cheap tips for staying cool in a heatwave.
Frugal Ways To Stay Cool This Summer
1 . Keep curtains and blinds closed during the day to stop the sun from shining in.
2. Open all your windows for cross-ventilation, this encourages good airflow.
3. If you have a large chest freezer you could put your sheets and pillowcases in a bag and store them in there until bedtime. The result is nice cold bedding to keep you cool at night.
4. Run your wrists under the cold water tap for a few minutes.
5. Turn off all electrical items that are not essential, surprisingly these do give off heat.
6. Keep hydrated by drinking lots of water, cordial or juices. Avoid highly caffeinated drinks though as these can cause dehydration.
7. Take cool showers and don’t dry off your body or hair, evaporating water creates a cooling effect.
8. Avoid using the oven, a slow cooker or an instant pot will emit less heat overall. Stick to light meals during the summer including things like salad or cold meats that don’t need to be cooked.
9. Wear light fabrics, loose cotton and lighter colours will help to keep you cool.
10. Keep bottles of water in the freezer until you are ready to drink them. You could also roll them on the back of your neck or wrists for an instant cooling sensation.
11. If you do need to use a fan keep it to one room, close the door and stay in there to cool down.
12. Visit libraries, museums or community centres to make use of their air conditioning. Shops and malls are good for this too although this may not be frugal if you are tempted to spend money.
13. Keep windows open at night if it is safe to do so and sleep without a duvet or comforter.
14. Soak your feet in cold or cool water, you could add some peppermint as this is known for having a cooling effect too.
15. Hang a wet sheet in front of an open door or window, as the breeze flows through the water should create a cooling effect.
16. Try to do most of your activities like exercising or cleaning the house in the cooler hours of the day like first thing in the morning.
17. Fill a spray bottle with cold water and spray your face with it regularly. You could keep it in the fridge for that extra spritz of coldness.
18. Have a good stock of ice cubes on hand. Not only are they great for drinks but also for rubbing on necks and wrists to cool down.
19. If you are using a fan, place ice or cold water in front of it to make the breeze created even colder.
20. Invest in some handheld fans you could use rechargeable batteries to keep the cost and impact on the environment low.