06 May How To Keep Your House Cool In The Summer
When the temperature climbs outside and those sizzling temperatures creep their way into the house, say goodbye to any motivation you have to get things done. Trying to complete any work or clean can feel like an utter challenge when you feel sticky, sweaty, and damp. However, sometimes we are hesitant to crank up the AC for just a little bit of relief. Summer days can be long and hot, but on the bright side, there are alternatives to keeping yourself nice and cool. Below, you’ll read about some awesome tips that will cool you down but also make your air conditioning more efficient. Here’s how to keep your house cool in the summer.
Appliances
One of the biggest sources of heat in your home comes from your appliances. There are ways to control the heat output of these systems. That’s the good news. Here’s what you can do to control the heat circulating in your home.
Make Chores A Nightly Task
Maybe you’re one of those people that likes to get up and get all the chores done for the day. In doing that, you’re setting yourself for a day full of sweating. When it comes to doing your laundry, the best bet is to run a load at night. This is because laundry machines throw off a lot of heat. Changing your laundry times can change the temperature of your house.
Become The Grill Master
If you are someone who enjoys cooking up delicious meals, you probably use your oven a lot. You know your oven gets hots and all that hot air heats up your home. This is true even if you’re just using the burners on top. In the summer, switch out the oven for the grill. Learn to trust the grill, and you’ll be amazed at what you can cook up. However, if you don’t have a grill, turn the fan on above the stove to vent out the heat.
Change Out Those Air Filters
Dirty air filters can impact the efficiency of airflow within your home. It’s recommended to change your air filters every 4-6 weeks. This is especially true during the hot summer months. Dirty filters reduce air quality and can block the flow of air. If you are going to use your AC, want to make sure your air filters are nice and clean.
Windows and Blinds
There are many tips to keep your home cool by just utilizing your windows and curtains in your home. These simples tricks can have effects that keep you from dripping in sweat.
Throw Open The Windows
When the sun goes down, the summer heat alleviates for the night. This is the perfect opportunity to cool down your house. With temperatures dropping to the mid-70s in the summer let that cool refreshing air in. Additionally, utilize fans to push the cool air around the house.
Shut The Blinds
If you have a dog or cat you know they like to lay in sun shining through the windows. They like to feel the warmth. Now, all this sun shining into your house is eventually going to raise the temperature. Did you know that about 30% of unwanted heat comes in through the window due to the greenhouse effect? So, close the blinds and limit some of that sunlight. If you don’t want your house to feel dark make sure to close blinds on the west – and south-facing windows.
Miscellaneous
These are tips that don’t fit in the above categories but are still helpful when it’s summertime. These tricks are simple and easy and will have you feeling nice and relaxed.
Keep The House Open
If you live in a house that has a lot of doors, make sure to keep them all open. In the winter, you might close up the house to keep the heat in. Now, it’s time to the opposite. Keep the air flowing through the house. You won’t accidentally create rooms of immense heat by having all the doors open.
Turn On Exhaust Fan In The Bathroom
When taking a shower, you turn on the exhaust fans to vent out the steam. For the summer it’s best to keep the exhaust fan on longer than you normally would. Keep your fan on for an extra 20 to 30 minutes, so you can really pull out the hot air. The best part is that exhaust fans run at a very low cost, so this won’t greatly affect your energy bill.
DIY Air Conditioner
Maybe you don’t have an air conditioner or just want to cut back on the usage of your system. Whatever the reason is, there’s a method to make your own low-cost AC unit, so to speak. Grab a large mixing bowl and fill it up with ice. Next, place it in front of a large box fan. This produces a nice chilled breeze. This is a nice trick to cool down a small area. So, if you’re working from home and hate the feeling of melting in your office, give this a try!