If you’re like us, you can’t wait to get back to your air-conditioned home at the end of the day. But if you’re trying to keep your utility bill in check, you may be looking for ways to cool your home more efficiently. We found some tips to help you heat-proof on a budget.
Keep Windows and Doors Closed and Covered
As much as you might love natural light and fresh air, they aren’t doing you any favors this time of year. The simplest way to keep your home cooler when it’s hot outside is to close yourself off as much as possible. Draw your curtains. Keep your blinds closed. Consider blackout curtains or shades if yours are very light in color. Make sure to keep exterior doors shut and seal off any cracks that might be letting air in. If you have rooms in your house that aren’t often in use, you might also think about keeping those doors closed and focus your efforts on the rooms you stay in more often.
Make Smart Swaps
Some common household fixtures and appliances actually put out heat, so discontinuing those can help. Swap your lightbulbs for fluorescent or energy-efficient LED. Not only will they stay cooler, they also require less energy to power them. You might also want to avoid using your oven or stove burners, especially during the hottest parts of the day. Instead opt for grilling outside or cooking in a way that puts off less heat, like a slow cooker.
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Promote Circulation
Fans are the obvious choice when you think about cooling your home without air conditioning. But it’s important to use them correctly. Position your fans in the coolest part of your house and point them towards the hottest part. You can also angle a bowl of ice in front of your fan and let it blow the cold air throughout the room. If you use window fans, point them outward to help the heat escape from inside. On that note, there is one exception to the above rule about the windows. If it gets cooler at night than it is in your house, it’s actually a good idea to open them. Turn those fans around so they can now bring the cool air in. Just remember to turn them back around in the morning.
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
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