I heat up and I can’t cool down.

Five tips to stay cool when temperatures are high.

Yes, we all know air conditioners suck up a lot of energy, and it accounts for 20 percent of total electric consumption in the U.S. Today, where I live in Minnesota, it is going to be 94 degrees with 83 percent humidity, (yes, it does get hot and humid in Minnesota), and I have every intention of having the air on!

How do we, as Ordinary Environmentalists, manage our desire to reduce energy consumption with our yearning for a home that is a cool, sweat-free zone? Here are a few simple tips to manage your home air conditioner energy use, while remaining cool.

#1 Only cool the areas that need cooling.
Take a look around your house. Most of us only use about 80 percent of our living space. If you have a guest bedroom, dining or living room you rarely use, close the air vents and stop cooling those room when they are not in use.

#2 Hang out in the cooler areas of your house.
If you live in a multi-level house, chances are it is at least several degrees cooler on the lowest level. My lower-level family room is 3-4 degrees cooler than my top-floor bedrooms. I can turn the air off in the evening and hang out in the comfortable family room. By bedtime, it is often cool enough outside to open up the windows, turn on the ceiling fan, and sleep in a comfortable air-condition free environment.

#3 Get some air movement with fans.
Fans will not cool the temperature of the room down, however they will give you air movement, which makes your skin feel like it is 2-3 degrees cooler. You can run ceiling fans for about $1 per month, which is a lot less expensive then cooling that room an extra 2-3 degrees with an air conditioner.

#4 Close the curtains.
You can close the curtains partway or all of the way and reduce the temperature in the room by several degrees. This also helps reduce fading on furniture, carpets, and rugs. Make sure to do this for all south and west facing windows on hot summer days.

#5 Turn the air-conditioner temperature up when you are gone.
Off to work or leaving with the kids for the afternoon? Turn the air-conditioning up so you are not cooling the house. If it is humid out, keep the windows shut so the humidity stays lower and it will feel OK when you get home. Make sure your pets are in a cool spot and have water and they will be fine with the temperature a few degrees higher.

If you heat up, let these five tips help you cool down, and be friendly to the environment!

P.S. For the lyrics to Steve Miller’s Abracadabra song, click here.