“On a day when I hear most of our neighbors are using the air conditioner, we can usually live another day or two without the air conditioner by using those effective strategies,” he said. Siegel’s strategies are just a few examples of how Canadians can reduce their electricity bills, which tend to rise when the sweltering summer heat sets in and people turn to air conditioning for comfort.
To balance staying cool and keeping costs down, experts recommend starting with measures like Siegel’s because they’re often simple and affordable. That usually means wearing light colors because they absorb less heat, blocking the sun with curtains or blinds, reducing how much you use heat-generating appliances, like dryers or ovens, or when you turn them on in the evening, when it’s cooler. Dehumidifying and using ceiling or other fans that promote airflow and are less expensive are also very helpful, says Robert McLeman, professor of environmental studies at Wilfrid Laurier University.
Practical tips to reduce your electricity consumption
During the day, when the air outside is hotter than the inside, point your fan so that the air leaves the room you are in and thus, cools you down. At night, when it’s warmer inside than outside, change direction, he said.
If you are at home and lucky enough to have a basement, he recommends spending more time there. “I often sleep there on hot days, so we don’t need to turn on the air conditioner to keep the bedrooms cool,” he explained.
If you still want to be comfortable, after completing all these steps, turn on your air conditioning, if you have one, say the experts.
The biggest savings often come from resisting the urge to lower your home’s temperature further. This is because the harder the air conditioner works to cool your space, the more electricity it uses and therefore, the more electricity you will pay. McLeman suggests finding savings by finding the highest temperature your home finds comfortable in the summer by turning up your thermostat continuously each day and stopping at whatever threshold you wake up to.
“In many cases, the humidity is the really worrying part of these heat waves, so if we can even reduce that humidity a little bit, it’s often surprising how much warmer your house can be and still feel comfortable,” he said.
Be aware of the health conditions of friends or family members
Siegel agrees that every degree you can raise your temperature is beneficial to you, but there are caveats. Although some tolerate heat well, the elderly, pregnant women, and many people with medical conditions or pets often need lower temperatures. Studies also show heat waves cause increased hospitalizations and deaths.
Article Continues Below Advertisement
X
“We all complain about the heat, but some people are really affected by it, so it’s important to manage that risk,” says Siegel, recommending that you consult a doctor if you’re unsure about what temperature is best for your health.
While some people recommend turning off or turning down the air conditioner every time you leave the house for the day, McLeman said that doesn’t always lead to savings. If there is only a few degrees difference between the temperature outside and inside, it is not a bad idea. But if it’s 35C and it’s humid outside and it’s really cool outside, you think it’s probably too expensive to pause the air conditioner when you’re away from home.
“Your house is going to heat up to those temperatures and there’s going to be a lot of moisture building up in your house, so the amount of energy it takes to get it back to a comfortable temperature when you get home may cost you more than running it in the back,” McLeman said.
If you don’t have air conditioning or don’t want to blast it, visit public places like the grocery store, library, mall, or even the office. “If you work from home a few days a week, choosing days when you don’t work at home can be a great way to use someone else to turn off the air conditioner,” says Siegel.
Get free MoneySense financial tips, news and advice in your inbox.
Read more stories:
