Beat the Heat Sustainably

Published Jun 06, 2024 by

Kim Fox

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As summer approaches, many of us are inclined to crank our air conditioning systems up to stay cool in our homes. While it’s hard to deny the convenience and comfort provided by modern air conditioning technology, there are also aspects that are less desirable. One of these is an overreliance on indoor temperature control. According to comfort researchers Richard de Dear and Gail Brager, our heat tolerance shifts based on temperatures we’ve recently experienced.¹Because of our overuse of air conditioning, we don’t allow our bodies to acclimate and thus suffer the heat even more when we are required to go outside. Another potentially more pressing downside is the energy usage of our AC systems. In 2020, the electricity consumption for air conditioning accounted for about 19% (254 billion kilowatt-hours [kWh]) of electricity consumption in U.S. homes.²In addition to how much energy is used for AC systems, much of that is used for cooling empty spaces, walls, and floors instead of people. Obviously, it’s not reasonable to completely go without, but Greenville Utilities Commission recommends keeping your thermostat set above 78 degrees Fahrenheit and advises that “every degree above 78 will save you about 4% in cooling costs.”³

What can we do to stay cool?

So how can we keep cool while saving energy and not relying so heavily on air conditioning? Advice on this generally falls into two categories: keeping the heat out of your home and cooling individuals.

For your home

Close off unused rooms in your home.
Make sure windows and doors are closed during the hottest parts of the day.
Use blinds, curtains, or other window coverings to block out the sun, especially on the south and west sides of your home.
If you are in a place where you can plant vegetation outside of your windows, this can also help to keep your home cooler in the summer months.
Make a “swamp cooler” by making a fan blow air over ice packs or frozen salt water.

Stop heating your home

Many people don’t realize just how much heat they introduce into their home only to have to cool it back down.

Turn off and unplug electronics that aren’t in use.
Make sure you’re using LED lights instead of incandescent.
Prepare and eat meals uncooked as much as possible or use smaller, more efficient cooking devices such as air fryers and microwaves.
When you do cook using stoves and ovens, make large portions to reheat later.
Keep your showers shorter and cooler.
Hang dry clothing instead of using the dryer.

Cooling individuals

Stay hydrated with cool water, preferably from a reusable water bottle.
Soak your feet in cool water. Our feet and hands have a lot of veins and as the blood circulates out of them, it cools the body substantially.
Wear cool, damp clothes when possible. Even a damp kerchief around your neck can help.
Use reusable and wearable ice packs.
Use spray bottles to spritz yourself with cool water.
Wrap ice in towels to apply to your face and neck.

While it may be tempting to go with what we’re used to and just turn the AC on when the temperatures rise, you may find some of these methods bring more comfort to you for longer! Let us know if you have any other tips or tricks you like to use during the summer to keep cool and save energy!

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