STAY COOL WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK

Each year Yolo County has fierce summers with 100+ degree days. It's natural for us to mosey on indoors, crank up the AC and relax. Here are a few suggestions that will help you stay cool without costing too much.
1. Open the house up in the mornings and nights. While not all Yolo County nights cool down, there are those that do and luckily get a nice Delta breeze. Take advantage of those cooler outdoor temperatures to naturally "air condition" your home. If you have a whole house fan put it to use.
2. Turn off lights. If you're still lighting your home with incandescent bulbs pay attention to how much heat they put off. Incandescent can reach scorching temperatures from 390 to 500 °F. So, if you are lighting up your house you are heating up your house. You may want to consider switching to LED bulbs.
3. Avoid using the stove and oven. Don't heat up your house with appliances, use your microwave to heat up meals or take it outside and BBQ. Also, eat cold foods like salads and sandwiches, maybe a bowl of ice cream for dinner?
4. Use ceiling fans. Cooling with ceiling fans will allow you to feel 3 -6 degrees cooler. This can help lower your electricity bills without sacrificing overall comfort. If your heading out, turn them off.
5. Lower your water heater to 120 °F. Since we are already so warm you might consider turning down your water heater to save energy but also to cool down in the shower. Lowering your water heater temperature can also reduce burns.
6. Get out of the house. If you have a swimming pool head out back for some refreshing laps. If not, consider visiting a local pool for a dip. If swimming isn't your thing, visit a local library or a near by cooling center.
7. Stay hydrated. Most important with these rising temperatures is to stay hydrated and have some safe summer fun.