AWhen temperatures rise, it is tempting to get the air running at full blast (Hallooo, increased electricity bill). But just because temperatures are rising doesn’t mean we can or should be ruthlessly consuming costly and polluting resources. Fortunately, there are many energy efficient ways to cool your home that are good for your wallet and the planet.

Experts say that adopting these strategies can offer some serious benefits. “Personal protection is important because it benefits us and the planet in a variety of ways,” says Ashlee Piper, sustainability expert and author of Fuck it: do good. Live better. Save the planet.

She says the average American household uses more than 11,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity each year. “That’s twice as much as French households and three times as much as Chinese households, which is pretty outrageous when we think about that [an estimated] 1.1 billion people worldwide do not even have access to electricity. Therefore, not only is it good for the planet to reduce our dependence on resources, be it water, electricity, etc., but it is ideologically better if we want a more just world. “

Are you ready to relax and do better this summer season? Below, Piper shows seven simple, energy-efficient ways to keep your home cool, even when it’s extremely hot outside.

7 energy efficient ways to keep your home cool no matter how hot it is outside

1. Use fans instead of air conditioners

“Opening windows and having fans instead of air conditioning and blowing central air all day may sound extremely rudimentary, but people get along well with it,” says Piper. Remember, she doesn’t recommend throwing your air conditioner away. Instead, she suggests using it in moderation and instead turning it off when you’re away (assuming you don’t have pets at home who need to stay cool). “Be realistic about your temperature needs by using the eco setting, which detects the room temperature and adjusts the power accordingly,” adds Piper.

2. Wet your bed with cold water

Here’s a tip Piper’s anti-climate friend once shared with her: spray your bed with cold water from the refrigerator at night, then turn on the fan next to the bed. “This creates an evaporative cooling effect that allows you to sleep more comfortably even in hot temperatures,” she says.

3. Keep your refrigerator closed.

Not sure what to eat? Well, avoid standing in front of your refrigerator if you choose to. Only open it for as long as necessary and keep both the fridge and freezer as low as possible to keep your food cool or frozen. “[Refrigerators] work extra hard in hot weather, and if you stand with the fridge door open, it lets out all of the cool air and your fridge works even harder and uses more energy, ”says Piper.

4. Turn the lights off (or down).

Piper points out that lamps can generate heat. So, turn the lights down or off whenever you can get by without them. You can also hang light blocking curtains to keep your room cool without electricity.

5. Pay attention to the use of the oven while cooking.

“If possible, cook with less heat,” says Piper. “Who wants to deal with it in midsummer?” She also recommends using a single induction burner to reduce gas and electricity loads.

6. Wash clothes with cold water and then air dry.

“Cold washing should be practiced year-round, but also skip the dryer and opt for a drying rack in your room or an outdoor clothesline if you have access,” says Piper. Whether you have a back yard for a clothesline or a small bedroom, drying your clothes can save you a lot of power (and money) on drying cycles while not relying on heat generating devices.

7. Take colder, shorter showers.

Although the low temperature may feel like a shock to your system at first, cold showers keep you cool and your skin fresh. And while you’re at it, you should opt for shorter showers as well.

Oh hello! You look like someone who loves free workouts, discounts on cult favorite wellness brands, and exclusive Well + Good content. Sign up for Well +, our online community of wellness insiders, and activate your rewards immediately.