How can I keep my family and home cool in the summer?
During the hottest months of the year, use these simple tricks to keep your family cool.
In the morning, close all the windows, and lower the blinds on the sunny side of the house. The other windows will let in natural light—but without extra heat. Then you can keep the lights off during the day to save electricity.
Once the sun goes down and the air cools off, open the windows and use fans to blow a cool breeze through the house.
And remember: heat rises, so if your family’s bedrooms are upstairs, try having a family sleepover in the living room on hot nights!
How can I maintain a comfortable temperature in my home without blasting the AC?
On the days when it’s just too hot, we know it feels wonderful to run the AC… but it can hike up your electric bill, if you aren’t careful.
Rather than running the AC at full force, upgrade to a programmable thermostat that controls the temperature throughout the day. Set the thermostat to match your family’s schedule.
When you know the house will be empty, raise the temperature 5 to 8 degrees. Then, program the thermostat to drop back down before you get home.
You should also keep any lights and appliances that give off heat far away from the thermostat. Otherwise, it won’t stop running overtime.
How can I stay cool while sleeping on the hottest days of the year?
There’s nothing more relaxing than a cool breeze in the evenings, but some nights the Texas heat is just too much.
Here are a few creative hacks that can help you beat the heat:
- Take a cold shower before heading to bed. It’ll cool you off, and it’s also great for your hair and skin.
- Switch to cotton bedsheets, and sleep in loose, lightweight, cotton pajamas.
- Dampen a washcloth or grab a bag of ice and place it across your forehead as a cool compress.
- Or, if all else fails, try sleeping in a different part of the house to get a better cross breeze.
How can I be prepared for a hurricane?
Before hurricane season, share these important safety guidelines with your family.
- Avoid driving in hurricane-affected areas, and if you have no other choice, watch for downed tree limbs and power lines.
- Always avoid standing water because broken power lines can electrify it. This makes the water and any metal touching it extremely dangerous. So, steer clear of metal fences, mailboxes, and other metal materials.
- Most importantly: Never touch a downed power line because it may still be active—and if it isn’t, it could gain power at any second and even cause a fire.
- To protect your family during hurricane season, stay up to date on the weather, use caution, and shelter indoors.
What are some ways I can save on school supplies?
Before heading back to school this fall, check which supplies your kids will need. Collect any notebooks, binders, and pencils from around the house that can still be reused.
When buying other supplies, plan your shopping strategically. Hit the stores right before school starts to snag the best end-of-summer sales. And always check for in-store and online coupons.
Most importantly, stick to the list. Avoid buying anything that isn’t a necessity to keep within your budget.
Once you get home, label your child’s supplies. This will keep them from getting lost and save you money down the road.
What are fun activities I can do with the family that can also help us save energy?
Spending time with your family is a lot of fun, and it can help you save energy.
Choose family activities that get you out of the house. Try building an outdoor fort with the kids, or go for daily bike rides after dinner.
Activities like these get the kids outside and active. Plus, if you turn down the thermostat before you leave, you’ll also save on AC costs.
But sometimes, the weather just isn’t on our side. If it’s raining, choose indoor activities that don’t need electricity. Rather than watching TV or playing video games, work on arts and crafts or get everyone together for a family game night.
How can I save more on daily lunches?
Whether your family is heading back to school, returning to work, or preparing for online learning, setting a plan for daily lunches can help you tighten your budget.
Keep lunch plans balanced to maintain a healthy diet, and use simple ingredients so you don’t overspend at the grocery store.
When planning lunches for kids, choose foods they’ll enjoy, and train them not to throw away food, so that you’re never wasting money.
If you’ll be out of the house for lunch, pack food in reusable containers with washable utensils. Small Tupperware are perfect for snacks and sides, and by cutting out plastic bags, you’ll save money, energy, and the environment.
How can I get my kids involved in energy saving habits?
Teaching kids energy-saving habits is easier than you think. Let them redecorate their rooms with LED rope lights—if they promise to turn them off when leaving. LEDs use half the energy of other light bulbs and will help you cut costs.
For younger children, try switching to rechargeable batteries for toys. They’re more expensive but can be recharged 500 times, helping you save after only a few uses.
To monitor your kids’ screen time, keep electronics in common areas, instead of letting a TV run in their bedrooms all day. Then, set a time to unplug before bed. Disconnecting from devices will save energy, but it also helps your kids get a better night’s sleep.
