Cool Without the Cost: Seven Summer Energy Saving Tips

You may argue summer’s not the right time to be tackling energy efficiency.

I’d argue we haven’t had a proper summer since 2022 but to counter your actual point, I think you’ll find the milder months a good time tackle bigger energy saving tasks better before the colder months. Ever heard of prior preparation? Think about it, would you rather be sorting this stuff out in the freezing rain or the lukewarm rain? I rest my case.

Plus, with temperatures on the rise we could end up using just as much energy in summer trying to keep cool as trying to keep homes warm in winter. Apart from Zendaya. She’s just cool all year-round.

With that in mind, here are some practical tips to help you beat the heat and get set for savings year-round. That’s money AND environmental AND health savings.

1: Use Fans Wisely

(Not social media fans. Although, they should also be used wisely).

Ceiling and portable fans use way less energy than air con and is loads cheaper to run. ‘But they don’t cool me down as much as air con!’ I hear you cry, beads of sweat gathering around your furrowed brow. Well, here’s a hack just for you. If the air outside is cool, put your fan near a window with good airflow and it’ll circulate cooler air. Feel free to spread that around like the refreshingly chilly air that’ll soon be spreading around your living room.

2: Block Natural Light

I’m all about this one.

Use blackout curtains, reflective shades, or thermal blinds during the day to block sunlight and unwanted heat from your windows.

Not being able to sleep during summer because it’s too hot or too bright risks turning me into Jack Nicholson at the end of The Shining. I must shut out the shining to not become a character from The Shining. From personal experience, keeping the curtains / blinds closed during the day makes the room cooler, meaning I can sleep better, and no one is at risk of getting murdered.

Then, to save money and energy on electricity, open your blinds early evening and let the natural light fill the space to put off switching on the light for a bit longer.

3: Open Windows Strategically

You may have thought there was only one way to open a window, which simply entails, opening the window. But no. The savvy among us knows how to open a window strategically. When the temperature drops in the evening, open your windows to create a nice, cool cross breeze (where the air enters through one window and flows naturally right out the other) so you’re not sitting watching Love Island in a paddling pool of your own sweat. Just be sure to remember point 2 and close them and your blinds again in the morning before the sun heats up the place.

4: Get a Smart Control

Manage your heating and hot water around your schedules with a smart control. So, remotely via an app you can have your home heating come on later or set it for when you plan on getting home. It’s like a temperature Alexa. In summer, you can lower the thermostat by a few degrees and save up to £75 a year with this smart device. How smart is that? A* smart I’d say.

5: Seal and Insulate

To prevent cool air going all Steve McQueen and making a break for it, stop it from escaping by sealing gaps around doors, windows, and ductwork. The bonus is, this works both ways for summer and winter. Good insulation is a year-round investment because it doesn’t just keep you cool in summer; it keeps you warm in winter for cheaper. Too bad Steve.

6: Time Outdoors

Spending more time outdoors means using less energy indoors. Simple. Just don’t be leaving BBQ’s smouldering or litter scattered about. The thugs of the skies (seagulls) may be grateful for it, but our lovely landscape won’t be, especially if its ON FIRE. That wildfire risk is hotter than your sunburn.

7: Switch to LED bulbs

Traditional incandescent bulbs – often referred to as ‘the big light’ – waste a lot of energy and heat. Meanwhile, LED bulbs stay cool and use up to 80% less energy so having them instead can help reduce indoor heat AND lower your electricity bill. I just don’t know what there is to dislike here. Making the switch is a bright idea.

Thus concludes a short list on how you can keep cool and comfortable, simultaneously saving money, the planet and, importantly, yourself from turning into Jack Nicholson from The Shining after 19 straight nights of no sleep in the heat.

*Whether you own your home, or are renting, you can check your?eligibility for FREE energy-saving kit through the?Energy Efficiency Scheme via costoflivingsupport.gov.im/energysave.

Kit like loft insulation, smart heating controls, and thermostatic valves are available by completing a simple online application form. Additional help is available to those in receipt of benefits, including those on state pension, to pay approved local tradespeople to install specific items.