This is the time of year we Southern folk call "Dog Days".
Heat indexes in the shade along highway 49 west can soar to 118f. That's Hades !
There's an abundance of new construction in the Delta. Many homes exposed to the sweltering heat of the noon day sun which can kill a man.
But they're cool inside.
The cost of cooling your home can be saved by simple cooling techniques which won't require expensive modifications or professional installation.
Here are ideas you can use for free, low-cost, ways to cool your home and save some money.
1. Roof Vents.
2. Thermal Chimneys.
3. Ceiling Fans.
4. Ridge Vents.
5. Programmable Thermostats.
You can also reduce the heat sources by turning off incandescent lights, cooking wih microwave ovens, by venting all sources of heat such as the oven and clothes dryer, by shutting off the gas to furnaces, heaters and fireplaces, by window van ventilation, by closing off the laundry room, by air drying your dishes, and by sealing basements.
Can you think of other ways, other than laying in a hammock and sipping lemonade all day (which sounds pretty good to me) ?
Stay cool !
I've added a little music for your listening pleasure while you enjoy the day and contemplate ways to spend the money your about to save.
David, Kansas City's dog days are coming next month although I'm sure you'd feel at home here today in our sultry heat! You gave some excellent tips for reducing cooling costs! Thanks.
Our dog days came early this year and yes, you'll stay indoors more than outside. Our energy bill in the summer is typically much higher than in the winter.
One major habit people can control in reducing their energy costs is to leave the doors and windows closed so the cool air won't escape the house.
Stay cool and have a great weekend!
In Michigan, since it's cool at night (usually), open windows at night and shut them and your shades early in the morning, keeping your house all shut with the shades pulled may make the neighbors wonder what you're up to, but it really does help keep your house cool all day! (Works great with a wood frame house with some shade). IF you live in a trailer, try a sprinkler on your roof ??
Very welcome, Maria, and thanks to you for stopping by. I've been to Kansas City during the summer working construction. It was some years ago, and hot ! Hope your having a nice weekend.
Thanks, Silvia. Good advice. But if you've got a big family, and kids running all over the place, and the front and back door swinging open and shut every five minutes, it'll get rough. Especially on the utility bill. Great to hear from you. Hope your having a nice weekend in Spring Hill. I was in Tampa a few days ago.
What about people living in campers because they were foreclosed, Marilyn ? A trip through the carwash ? Or how about an ice chest in the jump seat with a small fan plugged into the cigarette lighter blowing across it's surface. They'll get better gas mileage by keeping the air conditioning compressor off.
They sure have, Jim. Although I find it hard to think of our younger generation referring to the current day and age as the "good ol' days" 20 years or so from now. Great to hear from you.
You're a beautiful musician, David. I wish I had at least had a music appreciation class but never did. I was an Art major so they didn't think we needed music appreciation. Isn't that strange.
Thanks, Barbara. I took music appreciation, but had to have art appreciation also, and art history. I wanted to paint the cabinet of my instrument paisley after that. I always thought my Steinway would look pretty good in teal with a nice rendering of bonzai trees. :-) Always happy to hear from you.
I, too, keep the window open at night, and close up most of it by 5 am, bums me out though...I love summer and the warm breezes, thinking about the -30 degrees in the winter. Sometimes, when it is really hot, I'll water the deck which brings down the temp on the south side of the house. Keep cool, David. I always think you're cool.
Thank you, Joan. You have a marvelously mild climate this time of year, although I know that it can be chilly at times in the evening. New Hampshire is very beautiful. I'm always very happy to hear from you.
Hi David-While it is 118* HOT outside that music of yours I am listening to is SO COOL!!!!!! Thank you for sharing and also for letting us comment. <SMILE>
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David, Kansas City's dog days are coming next month although I'm sure you'd feel at home here today in our sultry heat! You gave some excellent tips for reducing cooling costs! Thanks.