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Summer is a great time for outdoor activities and fun in the sun, but the heat can make it uncomfortable to stay indoors. Fortunately, there are several ways to keep your house cool during the summer without breaking the bank or harming the environment.
The most obvious way to keep your home cool during the summer is to use your air conditioning system. However, you can make your AC work more efficiently by cleaning or replacing your filters regularly – the Department of Energy recommends every other month. Clogged filters can block the flow of air and make your AC work harder than necessary. Additionally, you can set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature and close all windows and doors to prevent cool air from escaping.
See all of our tips for keeping your AC running optimally.
Fans can help to circulate the air in your home and make you feel cooler. Ceiling fans are especially effective as they can create a gentle breeze throughout the room. Moreover, placing a box fan in the window can help to draw in cooler air from outside and push out hot air from inside.
Closing your blinds or curtains during the hottest parts of the day can help to block out the sun’s rays and keep your home cooler. You can also use blackout curtains to reduce the amount of heat entering your home through your windows. Be sure to close all the windows and doors during the daytime, especially the ones facing the sun.
Check out more energy efficient window treatments.
Installing a solar control window film on your windows can help to block the sun’s rays and keep your home cooler. This film can reduce the amount of heat entering your home by up to 80 percent, depending on the type of film and the orientation of your windows. Solar control window films like ComforTech™ Ceramic Series are available in different shades so you can choose the one that suits your preferences. Plus, they are easy to install yourself and pay for themselves in a few short years.
Natural ventilation strategies, such as cross-ventilation, stack ventilation, or night flushing, can help to reduce the temperature inside your home and improve your indoor air quality. Cross-ventilation involves opening windows or doors on opposite sides of your home to create a flow of air. Opening windows and doors during the cooler parts of the day can let in fresh air and cool your home down.
Stack ventilation involves opening windows or vents at the top and bottom of your home to allow hot air to escape and cool air to enter.
Night flushing involves opening windows at night to allow cool air to enter and pushing out hot air from the previous day.
Cross-ventilation can be an effective way to reduce the temperature inside your home, especially if you have windows or doors on opposite sides of your home.
Be mindful of the outdoor temperature and humidity levels with all of these strategies, as excessive moisture can make your home feel damp and uncomfortable.
Cooking indoors can generate a lot of heat, so try cooking outside on a grill or using a slow cooker to keep the heat out of your home. This can also be a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and bond with your family and friends. If you have to cook indoors, use your exhaust fan or vent hood to remove excess heat and moisture from your kitchen.
Energy-efficient light bulbs generate less heat than traditional bulbs, so switching to LED or CFL bulbs can help to keep your home cooler. These bulbs also last longer and use less energy than incandescent bulbs, which can help to reduce your energy bills. Moreover, turn off the lights when you’re not using them to save even more energy.
Planting trees or shrubs around your home can help to provide shade and reduce the amount of heat entering your home. Trees can also help to reduce your energy bills by blocking out the sun’s rays and reducing the need for air conditioning. Choose trees or shrubs that are native or suitable for your climate and that won’t block any important views or light.
Using cool colors in your decor, such as blue, green, or purple, can help to create a sense of calmness and coolness in your home. These colors can also help to reflect light and make your space feel brighter and more spacious. You can use cool colors in your walls, bedding, curtains, or accessories, depending on your preferences.
Insulation can help to keep your home cool in the summer by reducing the amount of heat that enters your home. You can add insulation to your attic, walls, or floors to improve your home’s energy efficiency and comfort. Additionally, sealing leaks in your doors, windows, and ducts can help to prevent cool air from escaping and hot air from entering your home.
High humidity can make your home feel warmer and more uncomfortable, even if the temperature is not that high. Using a dehumidifier can help to remove excess moisture from your home and make your space feel cooler and drier. You can place a dehumidifier in your basement, bathroom, or other areas that tend to be more humid.
Heat-reflecting roofing materials, such as white or light-colored tiles or shingles, can help to reflect the sun’s rays and reduce the amount of heat entering your home. Additionally, these materials can help to reduce your energy bills by lowering the temperature of your roof and attic, which can reduce the need for air conditioning.
Smart home technology, such as smart thermostats, can help you to control your home’s temperature more efficiently and reduce your energy bills. Smart thermostats can learn your preferences and adjust the temperature automatically based on your schedule and habits. They can also be controlled remotely via a smartphone app, so you can adjust the temperature even when you’re not at home.
In conclusion, there are several effective ways to keep your home cool during the summer without relying on your air conditioning system alone. By using fans, closing your blinds, using solar control window film, using natural ventilation strategies, cooking outside, using energy-efficient light bulbs, planting trees or shrubs, using cool colors in your decor, installing insulation and sealing leaks, using a dehumidifier, using heat-reflecting roofing materials, and using smart home technology, you can create a comfortable and sustainable living space that you can enjoy all year round. Be sure to choose the strategies that work best for your needs and preferences and experiment with different combinations until you find the perfect balance between comfort and energy efficiency.
And if window film is something you’d like to try, visit www.windowfilm.com to learn more about it.
