As summer approaches and temperatures rise, energy bills often follow suit as air conditioners work overtime. Fortunately, there are ways to keep your home cool while maintaining energy efficiency and keeping costs manageable.
While air conditioning is a lifesaver during sweltering heat, it comes with environmental trade-offs. Air conditioners are a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, which exacerbate global warming and lead to more extreme heat waves. Scientists warn that temperatures are expected to rise annually, but you can strike a balance between staying comfortable and reducing environmental impact.
Here are 12 practical tips to help:
1. Clean Your Air Conditioner
Blocked vents and dirty filters hinder airflow, forcing your air conditioner to work harder. Regularly cleaning the vents, filters, and ducts—or hiring a professional to do so—ensures smooth airflow, improving efficiency and lowering energy costs.
2. Schedule Professional Maintenance
Even if you handle basic cleaning yourself, it’s wise to have a professional inspect your air conditioning system. They can identify issues such as faulty wiring or poor airflow, helping prevent costly repairs later.
3. Maintain a Consistent Temperature
Avoid large temperature fluctuations during the day. Keeping the thermostat steady reduces strain on your air conditioner during peak heat hours.
4. Opt for a Higher Temperature
Setting the thermostat to around 70°F instead of lower temperatures can cut energy use by up to 20%. Lowering the temperature too much not only increases costs but also impacts the environment.
5. Turn It Off When Possible
Take advantage of cooler nights and breezy weather by turning off the air conditioner and opening windows. When no one is home, turn off the system or set it to a higher temperature (around 70°F) to conserve energy and give the unit a break.
6. Be Mindful of Peak Hours
Energy usage peaks in the afternoon and evening when temperatures are highest. Spend time at cooler spots, such as a local pool, lake, or air-conditioned public space, to reduce reliance on your air conditioner during these hours.
7. Close Windows During the Day
If you’ve enjoyed cool night breezes with open windows, remember to shut them in the morning to keep the rising heat out.
8. Block Out Sunlight
Closing blinds or curtains during the day can significantly reduce the amount of heat entering your home, keeping your air conditioner from overworking.
9. Use Fans Alongside Your Air Conditioner
Ceiling fans are excellent for circulating cool air, allowing you to rely less on your air conditioner while maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature.
10. Cook Strategically
Minimize the use of heat-producing appliances during the hottest parts of the day. Opt for microwave or slow cooker meals instead of using the oven. Alternatively, prepare cold dishes like salads or charcuterie boards to keep your home cool.
11. Improve Ventilation and Insulation
Proper insulation is key to efficient cooling. Seal any cracks or gaps, use weatherstripping, and ensure your attic or basement is well-insulated to prevent cool air from escaping.
12. Invest in a Smart Thermostat
Although smart thermostats require an upfront investment, their programmable features help optimize energy usage. They can adjust temperatures automatically while you’re away, ensuring efficiency without sacrificing comfort.
By adopting these tips, you can enjoy a cooler, more energy-efficient summer while keeping costs—and your environmental impact—in check.
At 48, Charlize Theron’s see-through gown for Oscars after party ignites reactions from fans
Being a celebrity these days must be difficult, as every action and choice is closely examined and shared for the entire world to debate.
Maybe that has always been the case—leading a life in the public eye has always entailed drawing attention from cameras and flashing lights—but the emphasis is sharper now than it was decades ago because of sensationalized social media headlines and viral material.
A-list celebrities are scrutinized not only for their words and deeds but also for their attire, and this is especially true during the awards season. The 96th Academy Awards were held at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles last weekend, and as was to be expected, it was a highly publicized event.
A who’s who of stars and movie industry heavyweights graced the red carpet, and you can bet your bottom dollar that their costume selections were dissected like participants in a massive fashion design test on the internet.
One celebrity whose appearance was subjected to an especially close examination was Charlize Theron, who attracted attention with her shimmering black outfit.
The actress looked absolutely stunning at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party this year, but her ensemble generated a lot of discussion online as fans disagreed on whether it was a hit or miss.
As soon as the 48-year-old’s images appeared on social media, others started to leave disparaging comments. Her choice to wear a see-through outfit that exposed her panties was praised by some. Others weren’t as much.
“You look amazing in all of the pictures, are there any bad ones?”Someone penned something.
Stunningly beautiful, another person said.
A third made the joke, “This woman is stunningly gorgeous.”
“This woman is just amazing, with great dedication to acting, producing, and social assistance,” remarked a fourth.
As is usually the case when public figures reveal themselves to the public, Theron’s appearance was praised by a number of critics as well.
Someone wrote, “Not a good choice.”
Another said, “You look great, but this clothing is awful [sic].”
A third said, “Yuk—too thin.”
“I am her fan, but I don’t like her hair here. She’s so skinny and the dress, hmm, no,” commented another.
Theron has already given candid speeches about her style choices and encouraged others to always follow their emotions.
She said to People last year, “I think there should be no faux pas.”
“I truly believe that it’s not a faux pas if you just go by how you feel and how much you love it.”
The actress commented at the time, “I mean, there are a lot of dresses that I know people didn’t like, but I’m like, I looked at myself in the mirror that night and I was feeling myself,” in reference to the ensembles that sparked a strong reaction from critics.
Charlize Theron looked amazing at the Oscars, in my opinion! Share your opinions with us in the comments section.
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