In the middle of summer, your home is hot and it can feel like there is no relief in sight. With recent reports of dangerous heat waves on the rise, it’s important to make sure your home is cool when you need it to be. The last thing you want is to be in a hot, stuffy home when temperatures outside are soaring. There are plenty of ways you can make your own cool breeze without adding any extra bills or electricity usage.
Whether you’re looking for a few quick fixes or just want to get some advice on what steps to take, be sure to check out our four quick tips to make your home cooler.
Close Curtains and Blinds During the Day
This helps to keep the sun from heating up your house when it shines through windows and doors by blocking out some of the light for a more comfortable environment. The hot weather can make it difficult to nap or rest comfortably in your home, so try to keep the sun out – especially during the late afternoon hours. Morris Jenkins notes that a lot of people underestimate how much the summer heat will impact the temperature in their homes.
It might seem like a good idea to open the windows and doors during the day, but if they face the sun, the heat will build up in your home. When you close off those entry points with curtains or blinds, it creates one less avenue for the hot air to get into your house. This way, you can still enjoy the fresh air coming in from outside without letting in heated air that’s uncomfortable for everyone.
Turn Off Lights and Electronics at Night
Turning off all lights will stop any heat sources like lamps or overhead fixtures from adding to the already uncomfortable temperature inside your house. This will help cool things down considerably overnight once you go to bed after sundown. Consider using soft bulbs that produce less heat whenever possible. You should also keep your electronics off at night as they emit enough heat to raise the temperature in a room by one degree for every hour of operation.
Open Windows and Doors for Cross Ventilation
Open the windows and doors with no direct sunlight during the day to allow cooler air to enter your home. While it may seem odd to do so in hot weather, air circulation is the key to staying cool. Open specific windows and doors such as your bedroom and living room to let cooler air into the space in the early morning hours when the sun is still low. If you have a hallway, open adjacent doors to circulate air throughout the house.
Close off rooms that aren’t currently being used, such as closets and bathrooms, because they tend to retain more heat than other rooms. Opening windows and doors are an easy way to increase airflow throughout your house and make things feel cooler without any cost or effort. Don’t forget to close all open doors and windows again at night, and when the sun is facing their side of your home.
Place Portable Fans in the Right Spots
Instead of using a central AC unit, you can use portable fans around the house. These will help keep air circulating and cool as it moves throughout your home. Place them in high traffic areas where more people are congregating throughout the day, as well as in hallways leading from one room to another, at desks or work areas, and in the kitchen.
The best part is, you can take them with you to other rooms and use them as a way of moving cool air around your home wherever you are. This can also help you save on your air conditioning costs and keep your home cooler during periods of high heat, since you don’t have to cool your entire home when you only need to cool a few high-traffic areas.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need to waste a lot of energy and money to keep your house cool. These simple tips are effective and practical. If you’re staying inside for a prolonged period of time, be sure to stay hydrated, wear light clothing with layers to avoid feeling too hot, and stay in the coolest room possible.
