Summer brings longer days, outdoor activities, and lots of fun but sometimes the heat can seem unbearable. It may seem like a good idea to crank up the air conditioning but that means you’ll probably run up a high energy bill. However, reducing your AC usage doesn’t mean you don’t have to swelter. There are simple things you can do to keep your home cool.
Get Creative with a Fan
You already know the breeze from a fan is cooling but did you know you can make it even more refreshing? Simply place a bowl of ice in front of the fan at an angle which allows it to give off a chilly breeze. This is an easy trick which will make you feel a lot more comfortable. If you want to make sure you have the best fan, be sure to consult a quiet fan guide.
Keep Your Blinds Closed
A lot of summer’s bothersome heat comes through your windows. When you close your blinds, you can reduce indoor temperatures considerably and keep your energy costs down. You should also consider using neutral colored blackout curtains to further insulate your home.
Cook Outdoors
Turning on your stove will make your home hotter so why not take advantage of your outdoor facilities instead? Throw your food on the grill and spend some time in your patio or backyard with a cool drink.
Install Compact Fluorescent Lights
If you still have incandescent bulbs in your home, now is the time to get rid of them. These lights generate a lot of heat and most of it goes to waste. Ditching them will reduce the temperature in your home and lower your energy bill. If you can’t change the lights, try to turn them on only when it is absolutely necessary.
Switch up Your Sheets
When the days begin to get hotter, it’s time to change those sheets which served you well in the previous months. Flannel and fleece will likely keep you too hot during summer. Consider getting more breathable fabrics or sheets with moisture wicking technology.
Turn on the Exhaust Fans
The exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen will help to cool your home after you shower or cook a meal. Not only will they pull the steam out of these rooms, but they can also remove some of the hot air out of nearby rooms.
Put Some Thought into How You Open Your Doors
You may find that one room in your home feels cooler than the temperature outside. If so, close the door of that room so you can maintain that temperature for a longer period. You can then stay in this room as much as possible during the warmest times of the day.
Open Your Windows at Night
If the hot days are followed by cooler nights, you may want to let the breeze in before you go to bed. However, you should only do this if it won’t compromise your safety. If you don’t have grills installed, you can open the windows on the upper floor if you live in a two-story house.
There are many things you can do to keep your home cool during summer. While turning on the air conditioning is the easiest thing to do, it might not be the most efficient or cost-effective option. Use these tips to help you stay comfortable.
1 Comment
These are some great tips. We just moved into a newly built home on a much quieter road. We had so much traffic by our old house that it was too noisy to have the windows open.