Welcome to Idaho, where there are certainly 4 distinct seasons (sometimes in the same day) ! We are knee-deep into summer, and what a summer it has been. There have been record-breaking high temperatures all over the Western US, and here in Garden Valley we are not seeing an exception to that rule. Climbing temperatures do not mean you have to swelter in your home OR pay high power bills to run your air conditioner constantly if you follow a few of these tips!

Open your windows at night.  Take advantage of those cool mountain nights by opening your windows once the sun goes down. To take even more advantage, set up a fan in one window to suck hot air out or to blow cool air in. You would be surprised at how cool your house can get overnight.

Close your blinds during the day. Even with new, energy efficient windows you might be raising the temperature of your home upwards of 30% by leaving your window blinds open. This is because of the greenhouse effect: sunlight and heat can enter through the windows, but there is nowhere for that heat and sunlight to escape. This is a huge energy saver, especially mid-day when the heat peaks.

Do chores at night. Running your washer, dryer, and dishwasher puts heat into your home. Save these chores for evening after you have opened your windows up to capture the cool air from outside. Additionally, keep your dryer vent nice and clean. This will make your clothes dry faster and prevent even more heat from coming into your home.

Skip cooking inside and grill instead. Using your stove and cooktop will heat up your house pretty quickly, so try to plan meals that you can cook outdoors. Grill some chicken, boil your corn on the side burner of the grill, and chop up a refreshing salad to go with it! If grilling does not fit into your schedule, opt for using the crock pot, which will allow you to serve up a hot meal without adding to the temperature of your home.

If you cannot get away from using your air conditioner, there are a few ways you can make sure you are using it efficiently.
Make sure your filters are clean and change them often. This one step will help keep your air conditioner running at peak performance by allowing for maximum air flow. Changing your filters every 4-6 weeks will also increase indoor air quality, which can be helpful when we have smoke or pollen in the air.

Maximize your AC usage. When you are home, set your temperature to 75-78 degrees. When you are away, allow the temperature to rise to 80 degrees. If you do not want one more thing to remember each morning and evening, consider installing a programmable thermostat that will do the work for you!

If all else fails, go cool off in the river! It is common to see folks sitting in the river in their lawn chairs when it is exceptionally hot. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!

If you have questions about the area, real estate, or what is happening around Garden Valley please give us a call at  208.462.4620 or visit out website at www.gardenvalleyproperties.com! We are always happy to help.