Kelly's Healthy Home

Philadelphia has been very hot this summer. Super hot and humid, almost tropical on some days. June was the fourth hottest recorded month since 1872! As a result, I’m sure you will see higher cooling and water bills to stay sane cool. I know I’ve given tips in previous blog posts and on my IG account on how to reduce your bills in the summer. But I find reminders and more suggestions are always helpful as we navigate new habits. Right?

First up, use a programmable thermostat so you aren’t cooling your home while away during work or vacations. The NEST and other wifi thermostats are popular, but honestly the digital ones work just as well. For the summer, program the temperature to go up while away and during sleeping hours. How far up? Well that depends on your home layout, system and comfort, but I would suggest at least over 75 degrees. If you don’t leave the house every day or around the same time this time of year, then I would close your curtain and blinds during the day to keep the cool air in. On extra hot days, I run errands, walk the mall or head to the library to enjoy some free AC!

As for your water bill, year round I recommend taking shorter and cooler showers in general. This time of year, you’ll want to water your outdoor plants and grass in the early morning, ideally before 10am. This will prevent grass and soil from drying out. Also, you don’t need to water your grass as much as you think and honestly, you’re not a golf course or resort, so no need to be super green. Actually, over watering can lead to issues too.

Some other tips to add as a lifestyle change to be more efficient:

-Run the dishwasher overnight as it tends to give off heat.

-Have more outdoor BBQs rather than using the oven

-Invest in a rain barrel to collect rain water for watering plants.

-Don’t cut your grass too short, that will hinder sufficient growth

-Check your attic insulation, it may not be efficient

-Turn off fans when room is not being used

Creating new habits can take time. Do one thing at a time and I promise your efforts will pay off.

If you have more tips, I’d love to hear them! Please leave in the comments so we can all learn.