by C. J. Carpenter

Created on: December 21, 2008   Last Updated: December 24, 2008

Its summertime and you're thinking of ways to beat the heat without paying astronomical utility costs. How can you cool your home on a tight budget?

With a little foresight you don't have to break the bank keeping cool this summer.

While the air conditioner is an easy solution, it's going to take a big chunk out of your budget and it's not the most eco-friendly way to cool your home. If you do decide to use an air conditioner you can cut cost by investing in an electronic thermostat to keep the room temperature between 77-80degrees.

There's several ways to keep your home cool on a tight budget.

1. Fans have come a lo-o-ng way, baby! Fans are no longer the rattling, shaking gargantuan monsters that your grandmas used in the back room. Fans, now, oscillate, circulate quietly and move the air efficiently. There are portable floor fans, ceiling fans, fans that rotate and those that blow upwards, downwards, or backwards and forwards in all directions to keep your home cool on a tight budget. Look for circulars in the mailbox advertising lower SALE prices for fans mid to late summer.

2. You can cool your home by reducing the humidity in the air. Dehumidifying units are available on-line or at your local home improvement stores. Check out "consumersearch.com" to study their reviews and read recommendations before you purchase one. The dehumidifiers range in size and capacity absorbing from about 16 ounces to 50 pints of moisture from your rooms. The unit price will offset the cost of an air conditioner, since they range from about $44- $250. It's a good investment to keep your home cool on a tight budget.

3. Beautiful draperies can do much more than make a room more attractive. When the sunlight is shining through your windows, your room temperature goes up because of infrared heat from the sun. Insulated or thermo backed draperies are low cost "must-haves" to cool your home by keeping the sun out and the cool air in. Pull them together when the sun is high. Depending on the window size you can squeeze these essentials into your tight budget for as low as $29.99. Outdoor window awnings, and patio overhangs shield your home from the sun to keep your home cooler inside.

4. It is a good idea to shut off those electronic devices, if you aren't using them to keep your home cool. The chips inside electronic devices give off heat when they're on. Computers, video systems, and flat screen TV's are designed to transfer the heat from the inside microprocessor to outside surrounding air. As a reminder make creative posters for the family, reminding them to "Turn it off" or "Shut it down" when they are finished. It'll help everybody in the house stay cool while helping you manage your tight budget.

5. When possible, choose light paint colors for walls that the sun directly hit. Darker colors always draw more heat. Light colors can help you keep the house cool on a tight budget. Also insulate your attic so that the heat is prohibited from coming through the walls.

6. Cook the whole meal outside on the grill when you can. It's less expensive if you have a tight budget. Avoid turning on the oven if you're trying to keep your home cool. A toaster oven can be used to warm up pizza, toast bread and cook frozen foods. Some models even have a broil setting on them.

Try some of these alternatives. By saving on your utility bill, you'll have money left in the budget to enjoy some fun activities this summer.

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