July 13, 2018 – The Michigan Agency for Energy (MAE) has provided some tips for senior citizens to not only stay cool during the hot summer months, but to save money on their utility bills as well. Senior citizens can largely benefit from these tips, but anyone who is looking to stay cool and save money on their energy bills can also benefit from them—as well as educate others on what they know.
MAE’s Chief Executive Director, Anne Armstrong Cusak, said, “As we move into the hottest part of summer with long spells of high temperatures, it’s vitally important that our older Michiganders know how to beat the heat while keeping their energy bills affordable. We also want to remind family, friends, and neighbors to check in on seniors throughout the summer to make sure they are OK and discuss energy-saving tips with them.”
Here are some practical ways to stay cool during hot summer months and keep utility bills in check—provided by the Michigan Agency for Energy:
• If concerned about the cost of running air conditioning, go to a friend’s house that has air conditioning, an area cooling center, the local mall, the senior center, or a movie theater to get out of the heat.
• Set the temperature on your air conditioner higher at cooler times of the day and lower during the hottest periods. Installing a programmable thermostat takes the guess work out of adjusting the air conditioning system.
• Keep curtains or blinds closed to keep the sun from warming a home’s interior.
• Use ceiling fans or portable fans to circulate the air in the home.
• Drink plenty of cool, non-alcoholic fluids to keep your body temperature in check.
• Sign up for a budget plan with your utility to even out the cost of staying cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
• Run appliances such as the dishwasher, washing machine or clothes dryer in the evening or at night during off-peak hours.
• Shut the air vents in parts of the house that aren’t used or close off unoccupied rooms to keep the cool air where it’s needed. This can save 5 to 10 percent on cooling costs.
MAE also has provided a pamphlet, ‘Beat the Heat and Save,” that contains additional information on how to efficiently air condition your home, cooling tips, energy waste reduction measures and other tips. You can find that information here.
Source: media reports
