Energy savings
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Install blackout curtains or shades to reduce heat transfer through windows.
They can reduce heat transfer by up to 24%.
- Reflecting window film may be more effective at keeping house temperatures lower.
- Installing sunshades on the outside of south and west-facing windows is an option if you are handy.
one person who lived it
Install a whole-house attic fan to drop attic temperature by 40-60°F, keeping the house cooler.
Dropping the attic temp load helps the house stay cooler.
one person who lived it
Clean the radiator grills inside window AC units if they shut off due to overheating.
One person reported this fixed their unit, which had been working for two years since then.
one person who lived it
Be aware that 'eco' mode on inverter air conditioners may reduce cooling output.
In eco mode, the unit may output only half its rated BTUs.
one person who lived it
Spend time in the basement during hot summers to take advantage of cooler temperatures.
There can be a significant temperature difference between upper and lower levels.
3 people, independently
Place fans on the floor to circulate cooler air.
hot air rises
one person who lived it
Place a fan at the end of a long portable AC exhaust hose to help move the air.
It prevents the AC exhaust fan from having to work too hard.
one person who lived it
Avoid DIY fridge cooling setups that freeze water bottles and blow air over them.
Freezers expel heat from the back, warming the kitchen, and the system dumps net heat into the house while increasing electricity costs.
2 people, independently
Place Aloe Vera in easy-to-clean areas as it grows fast and produces falling flower stalks.
Aloe vera outgrows its basin and sprouts large stalks with tiny pink flowers that die and fall off.
one person who lived it
10 more on this
Avoid physically striking air conditioners to fix them, as this is likely to break them further.
Beating the unit is not frugal and probably just breaks it.
one person who lived it
Place the air filter on the back (intake) side of the box fan rather than the front.
Putting the filter on the inlet reduces power consumption and prevents filthy fan blades.
one person who lived it
Consider the payback period and local climate severity when deciding between upgrading central air or using window units.
In cold climates where heat output at low temps is minimal, the payback period for upgrades can be decades.
one person who lived it
Wear a wet t-shirt for personal cooling via evaporation.
As the shirt dries, it provides natural refrigeration.
one person who lived it
Recognize that swamp coolers are only effective in dry climates.
Water evaporates faster in arid conditions, allowing the unit to cool faster; they do not work in humid places like Florida.
2 people, independently
Keep invoices for energy-efficient appliance installations.
To claim tax credits.
one person who lived it
Track energy usage in kWh rather than dollars to accurately judge efficiency improvements.
Electricity bills may rise due to cost per kWh increases even if actual electricity usage decreases.
one person who lived it
Keep houseplant soil free of mold by avoiding overwatering and adjusting care for local humidity levels.
Overwatering encourages mold and fungal growth; failing to adjust for dry or moist air leads to mold.
one person who lived it
Recognize that relying on DIY cooling solutions like ice boxes all summer is a sign of desperation rather than frugality.
one person who lived it
Avoid using fans over ice as a primary cooling method because it is less efficient than air conditioning.
Lower efficiency results in lower effectiveness per dollar spent on electricity.
one person who lived it