This Old House

No, it’s not your imagination-it definitely is getting hotter. The eight warmest years on record occurred over the past decade. And it’s only going to get more brutal; all sources say that Summer 2012 is going to be a real scorcher. But staying cool this summer doesn’t necessarily mean you have to pay a fortune to keep the air-conditioning running day and night. Here are a few tweaks-most costing less than $25 to complete-that will keep you comfortable and cut the typical $1,000 cooling bill by as much as half. What’s needed to get the temperature to drop? Only a little time and a few changes in your routine. Keep reading to learn more.


SEE ALL: Top 10 Ways to Beat the Heat

Tip 1: Install a Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat lets you preset temperatures for different times of the day, so air-conditioning is working only when you are home. The least expensive thermostat models ($30) let you set four cycles that, unless manually overridden, repeat every day. Higher-priced models ($50 and up) allow you to create settings for each weekday and for each weekend day.

These thermostats come with complete directions and are easy to install. Just remove the old thermostat, unscrewing the wire leads attached to the terminals on the back. Reattach those wires to the terminals on the new model (in a system with separate A/C and heating units there may be four leads on the back, two for each unit). AA batteries maintain the settings if the power ever goes off.

Cost: $30 to $50 
Benefit: Up to 20 percent off your cooling bill

RELATED: How to Install a Programmable Thermostat, a Step-by-Step

Tip 2: Use a Fan

A fan, which costs two to five cents per hour to operate, will make a room feel 4 to 6 degrees cooler. Also, a fan works well in tandem with an air conditioner because the dehumidifying action of the air conditioner provides drier air that the fan can then move around.

In frequently used rooms, install a ceiling fan (set it to spin counterclockwise in summer). You’ll save the most money by running the fan only when you’re in the room. A motion-detector switch (around $20), which turns the fan on when you enter a room and off when the room is empty, is a good addition. However, if you have pets that move in and out of the room, make sure the switch can be turned off manually. Otherwise, your pets can cause the fan to run while you’re away.

If nighttime temperatures drop into the 70s where you live, you might want to purchase a whole-house fan, which runs $300 to $600 installed. This type of unit goes in an upstairs ceiling, ideally in a central hall. When run at night with the windows open, the fan will pull cool air into the house as it vents hot air out through the attic. Most models are designed to slip in between joists for easy installation. Whole-house fans, which draw only as much power as a couple of lightbulbs, are usually outfitted with a variable-speed switch and/or timer. If you install one, be sure to get an insulated box to cover the portal in winter.

Cost: Ceiling fans range from $40 to $300 or more. Floor fans cost around $20, and whole-house fans run from $300 to $600.
Benefit: Ceiling fans can decrease your cooling bill by up to 15 percent, while a whole-house fan can slash it by 50 percent.

RELATED: How to Install a Ceiling Fan, a Step-by-Step

Tip 3: Get “Cooler” Lights

Incandescent bulbs don’t contribute as much heat as unshaded windows, but they do add heat to a house and can raise the perceived temperature, sending you to the thermostat to seek relief. To reduce this hot-light effect and save lighting costs year-round, replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents. They use about 75 percent less energy and emit 90 percent less heat.

Cost: $12 to $25 per bulb
Benefit: Up to 5 percent off your cooling bill plus electricity savings

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A summer getaway is supposed to be a time for rest and relaxation. But if your heart is on vacation while your head is worrying about home, you won’t get much out of your time off. That’s why we’ve brought you this handy guide of some bad things that can befall your house when you leave it alone. Don’t fret-we also share with you expert advice on how to avoid these pitfalls. That way, you can take off worry-free, and know that there will still be a house standing when you pull back into the drive. -Jeanne Baron, thisoldhouse.com

SEE ALL: Top 10 Disasters That Can Hit Your House While You’re on Vacation

House Fires. One of summer’s many lightning storms can start a fire, and with no one to call 911 it can take out a whole house. The best defense, says TOH general contractor Tom Silva, is lightning rods. “This is not by any means a homeowner job,” he warns. “You need a pro to install them.” Any highly placed metal protrusion on your house should be grounded, in fact, including weather vanes and satellite dishes.

Don’t overlook the health of your wiring, as well. Curtis Niles Sr. of Armored Home Inspections in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, and President of the National Association of Home Inspectors, advises homeowners to keep up with maintenance. “Wiring is the last thing on a homeowner’s mind, but I’ve seen exterior service cables in poor condition all too often.” he says. “If there’s short or a spark in the line, a fire can start, and you won’t be there to put it out.”

RELATED: Hidden Home Fire Hazards

Break-ins and Robbery. Unmowed grass, piles of newspapers, and revealing posts on Facebook might as well be an open invitation to burglars, says Ralph Sevinor, President of Wayne Alarm Systems in Lynn, Massachusetts. Sevinor suggests putting a hold on the mail, asking a neighbor to park in the drive, testing your alarm system, and keeping your travel plans off the Internet. “Even if it’s your kid on Facebook telling her 2,300 friends about the family trip to Hawaii, you have to watch out. That message can get picked up by criminals who troll the Internet constantly,” says Sevinor. 


RELATED: How to Prevent Break-Ins

Flood. Niles says aging washing-machine systems are notorious for busting when you least expect it. “A bulge in the hose line indicates it’s weak and ready to go,” he says. Check the hoses before you go, and turn off the water supply to the laundry area, just in case.

An aging water heater can also break down and send water cascading. “Lots of times there are signs that a water heater’s failing,” says Tom. “Water on the floor around it, or rust on the outside.” Rust can mean that the sacrificial anode rod inside the tank has been depleted and the water is affecting the tank itself. Tom suggests checking the anode rod and turning off the water supply before you go away. “That way if your it dumps out, the only thing that happens is you get a wet basement,” says Tom.

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Did you know that your weight gain might be less about your willpower and more about how you’ve decorated your home? Factors like the colors of your walls, how you store your food, or whether your bedroom is comfortable enough can all contribute to your eating habits and stress levels. Read on to learn about the dozen ways your home could be tricking you into chowing down and gaining weight.

SEE ALL: 11 Ways Your House is Making You Fat at thisoldhouse.com

1. You Painted The Dining Room Red

According to the Pantone Color Institute, the color red increases blood pressure, heart rate, and appetite. Yellow increases energy, happiness, and-you guessed it-appetite. If any of the rooms in your house are painted in the warm colors of red, orange, or yellow-especially the kitchen or dining room-you are subliminally urging yourself to eat more.

On the other hand, the color blue has been shown to be an appetite suppressant. Because blue rarely occurs as food in nature (more often indicating rot or mold that can make you ill), humans have no appetite response to it. Paint the kitchen aqua, buy a blue light for your fridge, or serve dinner on blue dishware to help fend off cravings.

RELATED: 15 Ways Your Home Can Make You Infertile

2. You Don’t Have a Pantry

If you are constantly looking at junk food, you will constantly eat junk food. That’s because “you are three times more likely to eat the first thing you see than the fifth thing you see,” says by Brian Wansink, PhD, director of the Cornell University Food and Brand Lab. To take advantage of this out-of-sight, out-of-mind effect, banish bad foods to upper cabinets and remote pantries. Instead, shelve healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and nuts at eye level on the counter or in the refrigerator. Leaving sugary or salty snacks out will only encourage you to eat when you notice them.

RELATED: 9 Toxic Household Products to Dump NOW

3. Your Kitchen is The Hub of The Home

Try changing the way traffic moves through your kitchen. Another study from Wansink’s Cornell lab shows that people who pass through the kitchen during the day tend to eat 15 percent more than people who don’t. If a side or back door into the kitchen is the primary way your family goes in and out of the house, try using the front door more to avoid food temptations. If you work at the kitchen table or talk on the telephone in the kitchen, you will be even more encouraged to take part in mindless eating, so move those activities elsewhere.

SEE ALL: 11 Ways Your House is Making You Fat at thisoldhouse.com

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With the weather warming up, everyone here at TOH is dreaming about relaxing out on the lawn, deck, or patio. Hosting a cook-out or barbecue is probably the most fun (and tasty!) way to enjoy your backyard. (For more on the outdoor space shown above, see Cook Up a Great Outdoor Kitchen).   -Karen Ziga for thisoldhouse.com

Dining outdoors requires the right set of tools (think ultimate grill station, not hammer) and practical accessories. Here are a few new items from Prepara that will help keep your guests happy.

Salads are a fresh, cool, and healthful addition to warm weather menus. If you aren’t a fan of gloppy dressing and wilted greens, try using the Prepara Tabletop Oil Mister (about $20). Create your own flavored oils and mist a thin layer of flavor on salad or veggies off the grill. Everyone will want to know where you nabbed these tabletop accessories, available in bright, contemporary colors that’ll jazz up any picnic table.

Brushing on your special BBQ sauce needn’t be a messy affair. The Prepara Chef’s Basting Set (about $20) keeps sauce, oil, or broth neatly contained and the heat resistant silicone squeeze brush will safely stand up to the hot temperatures of the grill, oven, or pan.

And don’t forget how important is is to have icy beverages! Every good party host know that it’s all in the details, so give your guests a drink to remember with an alternative to plain-old ice cubes. Pack your outdoor bar cart with orbed chillers made using Prepara’s Ice Balls (about $10 for 4). There’s plenty of room in each orb for lemon and lime wedges or fresh fruit!

But, remember, there’s more to outdoor partying than eating and drinking! Don’t forget to have a little fun out there, too! Check out our 13 DIY Backyard Games and Play Structures and more at ThisOldHouse.com:

How to Build an Outdoor Kitchen

10 Smart Ideas for Outdoor Kitchens and Dining

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Grill Maintenance

Mayo: More Than a Condiment! Who knew that our favored BLT condiment was so versatile around the house? In a pinch, use it to help you tackle these everyday tasks. -Sal Vaglica, This Old House Magazine
See all 10 Uses for Mayonnaise on Thisoldhouse.com!

RELATED: 10 Uses for Vinegar

1. Erase Crayon from Walls


Coat doodles on surfaces covered with scrubbable paint. After a few minutes, wipe off the mayo and crayon marks with a damp cloth.

RELATED: 15 Decorative Paint Ideas

2. Remove Sticker Residue


Dab mayo on stubborn price tags and the like, let sit for a few minutes, then rub off. The oil dissolves adhesives.

RELATED: 30 Down-and-Dirty Tricks for Big DIY Savings

3. Rub out Water Rings


Cover water rings on wood furniture with mayo. Let sit for a minute or two. Wipe off and buff with a soft, clean cloth.

See all 10 Uses for Mayonnaise at Thisoldhouse.com.


More tips on Thisoldhouse.com:

10 Uses for Aluminum Foil

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10 Uses for Foam Packing Peanuts

10 Uses for Plastic Plant Pots

Here is a stylish and original way to spruce up your home’s landscaping! This outdoor lighting project is deceptively simple to build. Made of rot-resistant western red cedar, the fixture consists of a 2x4 center post to anchor it, a horizontal arm to hold the lantern, and 1x6 cladding that yokes the 2x4s together and creates attractive shadow lines. Fitted with a handsome copper-and-glass candle lantern, it exudes Zen-like beauty day and night.

This Old House senior technical editor Mark Powers installed our lamppost along a garden path but says its proportions would complement virtually any outdoor space, from a patio to a water feature. Check out how it comes together step-by-step on thisoldhouse.com. And if you’d prefer to wire the lamppost for low-voltage lighting, he shows how to do that, too.

For more, see All About Landscape Lighting on thisoldhouse.com!