9 Tips and Tricks to Keep Your Home Feeling Cool in the Summertime
Sharon Monticello
Sharon Monticello is native to one of California's most picturesque areas— Petaluma, nestled in the heart of wine country, has been home to Sharon's...
Sharon Monticello is native to one of California's most picturesque areas— Petaluma, nestled in the heart of wine country, has been home to Sharon's...
Keeping your house cool in the summer WITHOUT having to blast your AC 24/7 can be a godsend but seemingly impossible.
Sure, the heatwaves and hot sticky nights can become unbearable, especially when you’ve got little ones and pets in the house. But we still have to be kind to the environment, so turning our homes into a freezer and forgetting about the energy bill next quarter is not an option. Remember, high energy use associated with cooling houses in summer contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. Not to mention, it can become pretty costly, too. You don’t want to become broke and homeless by the end of the season, do you?
So, if you’re looking for solutions to keeping your house cool in summer without breaking your bank, you’ve come to the right place!
Check out these nine tips and tricks to keep your house cool during the summertime.
Keep the Sunlight Out
It’s tempting to let the natural light brighten up your room, but it’s important to remember that there are certain times of the day when you HAVE to keep those blinds closed!
Light equates to heat, and the more sunlight flows into your home, the warmer you will feel and the harder your AC will have to work. So, during the heat’s peak times, like in the afternoons, keep the temperature in your house bearable by closing your blinds, especially those on the west and north-facing windows.
You can also opt for blackout curtains to keep your home cool all summer.
Open the Windows and Doors in the Mornings and Evenings
Did you know that moving air is more refreshing than still air? Mornings and early evenings are the best times to open those doors and windows to keep the air moving through your home. It creates a draft and allows air to move freely through your home. Just make sure to invest in a net for your door frames and windows to keep the flies and mosquitos out!
Nighttime is when the air is coolest, so it’s best to have open windows. Leaving these open while you sleep can also be a good way of keeping the house cool at night.
Window Films are Key
Hack your windows through reflective window films! These can block up to 78% solar heat and 99% harmful UV rays that can damage your health and furniture! Window films are crucial for keeping your skin and furnishing safe.
Change Those Sheets!
You may not know it, but your bedsheets make a world of difference to your home’s temperature. Lighter fabrics, preferably in brighter colors like white, reflect light and heat and help keep your house cool in the summer. Lightweight materials for your sheets are also better than thicker ones to avoid night sweats!
Switch Off Unused Appliances
If you think your unused appliances AREN’T contributing to the heat you feel inside your home, think again! In fact, you would be surprised by how much waste heat appliances around your house generate. So, when not in use, switch them off, or better yet, remove and unplug them all together! Not only will limiting your use of devices keep your house cool in the summer, but it will also cut back your electricity costs.
Ice Your Fans
We all know that nothing can match the cooling capabilities of an air conditioner, but the ice-fan combo comes pretty close!
To set it up, place a bowl or pan of ice on the floor in front of a non-oscillating fan. Then, turn the fan to the area you want to cool, sit back and enjoy the icy-cool breeze that your DIY AC setup creates!
Change Your Bulbs
If you still have those conventional incandescent light bulbs, now’s your chance to upgrade to LEDs! Incandescent lights give off 90% of their energy as heat. On the other hand, LED bulbs generate lesser heat and save more on electricity.
Invest in House Plants
House plants have been having a moment since the pandemic began, and we can’t deny that they make our homes look and feel happier! But did you know that plants can help your house keep cool too?
Plants act as natural air conditioners and generate moisture into the atmosphere through a process known as transpiration. Peace lilies and rubber plants are the most heat-efficient and work best in humid conditions. But don’t forget to water them – especially as the temperature creeps up.
Avoid Using Your Oven or Stove
If you can’t stand the heat, get out of that kitchen! Cooking generates excess heat and can significantly raise the temperature inside your home. Opt for meals that are no-cook, like sandwiches and salads. If you MUST cook, try doing it outdoors on the grill. Doing so will keep your home cool and give you an excellent excuse to get extra mileage out of your grill!
