Spring is finally here (in Chicago at least), which means an end to high heating bills and the beginning of decent weather. But it also means that summer’s heat is only a few short months away.

While we all like to be comfortable (warm in the winter, cool in the summer), altering the temperature of our houses can be a costly enterprise. Here’s a look at how you can save money and not melt away this summer by flipping off your air conditioner.

Of course, if you have any medical conditions that require you to remain cool or if you’re among groups who are especially sensitive to heat (the elderly, the very young, those with asthma, etc.), check with your doctor about what kinds of temperatures you should aim for.

A Hotter State of Mind

A post from WiseBread.com suggests some techniques for coping with the hotter temperatures that come with nixing the AC, which include:

• Accepting the heat: Summer weather is hot weather. Once you accept that you may be warmer than is pleasant, the rest is relatively easy. When you’re around the house, you can adapt by wearing temperature-appropriate clothing—and going without artificial cooling has some advantages.
• Enjoying storms and wind: Summer rainstorms are never so wonderful as when you’re not using air conditioning. And the temporary coolness of an overcast day might be lost on those who strictly regulate their house temperature. Going without AC is a great way to get in touch with (and appreciate) the fluctuations in summer weather.

Alternative Ways to Stay Cool

Once you’ve committed to cutting out AC (and receiving much lower bills from your power company!), you’ll want to adopt a few strategies to keep yourself from wilting away:

• Leave the heat: During the hottest hours of the day, try finding an air-conditioned or otherwise cool place to chill out (office buildings, libraries, cafés, movie theatres and water bodies are all excellent). This will help you feel fresh.
• Love water: Sip cold water or iced tea to stay cool. If you’re really struggling, try a chilly shower or a jaunt in the sprinkler.
• Work your windows: At night, open the windows wide for maximum airflow during the cool hours. In the morning, you can close the windows and lower shades to trap cool air inside.
• Move the air, not your body: A ceiling fan can do wonders for making a hot room feel bearable, but engaging in serious exercise or strenuous activity is a bad idea during the heat of the day. If possible, reserve all significant activity for early morning or late evening hours.
• Think ahead: If you’re planning to move soon, be sure to investigate your future home’s track record with keeping cool (and keeping warm).

Cooling bills got you heated up? The first electric bill after summer kicks in can be a shocker if you aren’t careful. If you end up owing more than you bargained for, call the utility company and see if you can work out a payment option. You also may want to set up a flat billing cycle to make your bills more predictable. As a last resort, utility bills can usually be discharged in bankruptcy, along with credit card bills and medical debts.

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