How To Stay Green While School is Out For the Summer

For those of us like myself, the slightest wrench thrown in the fine tuned engine of our daily routine can REALLY halt productivity.

I know, I know...I'm so OCD.

In addition to possibly getting out of the routine of recycling, composting, etc, we also face the summertime problem of being home more often.

So how can we continue to save energy during the summer?

• Use free or cheap ways to cool your home
• Install a programmable thermostat to set the A/C at a higher temp while you're out of the house
• Keep your curtains, blinds, and drapes closed during daylight hours to prevent your A/C from working harder than it needs to
• Operate home appliances (oven, washer, dryer, dishwasher, etc) at off-peak, non-daylight hours.
  • What you may not know is that your electric company may actually charge you a higher kWh rate during daylight hours in the summer!
• Take advantage of the heat and line-dry your laundry
• Teach your kids about WHY you're doing these things...they'll listen

Following those quick tips will help keep your home cool, conserve energy, and save money on wasted utility bills...which no one likes.

What are some of your favorite tips to make sure you keep on living green during the summer months?