Summer is fully upon us and with that comes heat! While summer may be a favorite season for many of us, nobody likes sitting and sweating in their house. If you’ve got air conditioning, you may simply want to crank the temperature. But if you don’t, or if you are trying to keep your electric bill low, there are some other options. Here are our top nine tips to keep you and your house cool this summer.
1. Close All Window Coverings
This may seem like an obvious one, but it really does lower the temperature of your home. Whether you have blinds or curtains, shut them when you can, especially during the hottest part of the day. If you live on a lower level, try turning your blinds upwards so the sun can’t get in.
2. Install Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are a great way to cool down a room if you don’t have air conditioning. You can easily pick up a ceiling fan for under $150 – much cheaper than installing air conditioning!
3. Portable AC Units
Similar to ceiling fans, portable AC units can make you feel like you have air conditioning for a fraction of the installation cost. Depending on the type of unit you get they can be placed on the floor or installed in your window. You won’t even know the difference between the unit and the actual AC. By the way, the units do require some maintenance and cleaning to ensure it continues to work properly. Neglecting it can mean your house isn’t quite as cool as you’d like it to be.
4. Get a Home Energy Audit
Heat can come in from any kind of crack in your home – not just doors and windows. Many utility companies will come to your home and give you a home energy audit. During this audit, they can give you solutions for all the places heat is sneaking in your house. Some companies even offer rebates if you take their advice.
5. Change Your Sheets
Cotton is a great choice of sheets for summer because it breathes easier than other materials, and therefore stays cooler. Switch it up and save your other sheets for winter. For an added bonus, try getting a “chillow” – a memory foam cooling pillow.
6. Cook Outside
There’s a reason why grilling is so popular during the summer. Turning on the oven or microwave is a great way to let heat in your house and trap it there. The solution is to cook outside and take advantage of any cool summer breeze by eating outside too. Tack on a cold drink at the end of the day and you won’t even remember how hot it is.
7. Turn off the Lights
Keep your lights off whenever you can. Lightbulbs give off heat so even though they’re making your room brighter, they’re also making it hotter. Plus, turning off your lights is a great way to lower your electricity bill and show the planet some love.
8. Take a Cold Shower
Here’s another small trick that can make a difference. Taking a cold shower before bed will lower your body temperature and make you feel cooler as you’re going to sleep. If you wake up in the night feeling hot, keep a bowl of ice water next to your bed. Dipping your feet into it will give you the same cooling effect without having to take a shower in the middle of the night.
9. Put Ice In Front Of Fans
This is another great trick to help you fall asleep on a hot night. If you have a small portable fan, put a bowl of ice in front of it. The fan will push an icy cold breeze your way.
But What If I Want Air Conditioning?
Of course for some people, nothing beats actual air conditioning to keep your house icy cool all summer. If AC is high on your wish list, you can always install it. Or you could look for a new home, and we could help with that. Fill out the form below to get started.
