Change your habits with the seasons - revised

This is an old post, modified a bit to add new thoughts, because I like its message.  Think about the circumstances around you when you consider the sustainability choices you make. Changing circumstances may affect which is the more sustainable choice.  If you are lucky enough to live where there are four distinct seasons (can you tell I like changes in weather?) or even two distinct seasons, the way you do everyday tasks can change with the season.  I’m sure you can think of lots of ideas, but here are some thoughts:
 

• Open window shades on the sunny side of the house to let the sunshine in to help heat the house during the winter.  In summer, close windows and window shades on the sunny side to reduce the heat gain through the windows.
• During spring and fall, your clothes may not dry as quickly if you hang them to air dry. You may need to damp dry them in the dryer before you hang them to finish air drying in the house so they don’t get sour.  During the winter when the air in the house is warmer and dryer, you can hang your clothes in the house to dry and save the energy used by the dryer.  In summer, if your neighborhood allows it, you can hang clothes outside to dry (and enjoy the fresh air smell when you bring them in).
• Check the temperature on your thermostat.  In winter, keep the house cooler and wear cozy sweaters.  In summer, keep the house warmer and dress lightly. 
• A ceiling fan can help keep the house more comfortable in both winter and summer.  However, you will need to reverse the rotation of the fan depending on the season.  In summer, the moving air helps you feel cooler and if you have air conditioning you may be able to set your thermostat to a higher temperature.  Because warm air naturally rises, in winter a gentle updraft created by a ceiling fan allows for the redistribution of warm air that tends to accumulate near the ceiling.  Here’s an article that explains how to set your ceiling fan.  https://www.saveonenergy.ca/For-Your-Home/Advice-and-Tips/Seasonal-ceiling-fan-direction
• If you have boiling water in the pan after cooking potatoes or vegetables, in winter you can let the pan of water cool before pouring it out, so the heat from the water adds a bit of heat to the house.  In summer, you may want to pour the hot water down the drain right away so the heat from the water doesn’t add heat to the house.  You can also let the water cool outdoors and then use it to water plants.
• Winter is the time for baking and oven meals, because the heat from the oven also helps warm the house.  Even in winter, use a toaster oven for small items or plan to cook multiple items in the oven.  In summer, plan your meals to minimize cooking so you don’t add heat to the house, or cook outside.
• We usually turn on more lights in the winter.  Remember to turn them back off when you don’t need them.