that's what shea said • I don't get it.

I don’t get it.

A few of my friends are forgoing air conditioning this summer just because they can. Apparently it’s to prove a point. A point which I don’t entirely understand. Something about proving they can go without air conditioning and get used to it and be better people for it. Or something.

Um, do you want a medal for your amazing sacrifice?

Look, I get the point of reducing energy consumption because it obviously affects your personal finances. If you can shave some dollars off your electric bill, fantastic. But isn’t there a more reasonable way to do this? Do you have to sit around in 100 degree heat with fans recirculating the stuffy, impossibly hot air in order to save a few bucks?

I vote no.

Make reasonable changes. Set your thermostat at 85 when you’re out and 78-80 when you’re home (don’t ever leave it turned off entirely because your A/C will have to work extra hard to cool down your home once you turn it on, ultimately using more energy than if you’d just bumped up the temperature a few degrees). Keep your blinds/curtains shut during the day when you’re out. Use the toaster oven or microwave instead of the oven for cooking small items. Do laundry during the evenings when it’s cooler outside. Keep the lights turned low. Reduce the water temperature in the shower. Hang out in the basement (if you have one). Use fans at night. Eat popsicles. Ok, that last one was just because I really like popsicles.

See? Tiny little changes can save you money too (and are better for the planet as a bonus) and you don’t have to sit around, stewing in your own sweat while dreaming about ice cold swimming pools.

Take this from the girl who endured rolling blackouts in California during an energy crisis a few years ago.