When summer months roll around, we all crave sunshine, warm weather, backyard BBQs, beach trips, pool nights, outdoor concerts, fireworks, and much more…but we still struggle to stay cool during the heatwaves and hot sticky nights.
It’s easy and tempting to crank up the AC on scorching summer days and nights, especially when it comes to sleeping in the heat and trying to keep kids and fur babies cool. Keeping your house environment as cool as possible to combat heat waves in summer can easily be achieved through several simple hacks. There are plenty of ways to buffer your home from the heat without racking up your electric bill! We’ve gathered the best expert advice and tried-and-true tips to put into practice when the hot weather rolls around.
Ways to Keep Your House Cool This Summer
- KEEP YOUR BLINDS CLOSED! We all love to let the sunlight streaming in through the windows to brighten up our living space. Resist the temptation and keep curtains and blinds closed during those hottest hours of the day to stay cool. This alone can save you up to 7 percent on bills and lower your indoor temperate by up to 20 degrees. Better yet, invest in blackout curtains. According to Consumer Reports blackout curtains can reduce heat gain by up to 33 percent.
- LET IN THE FRESH AIR MORNING AND NIGHT! Did you know that the moving air is cooler than still air? You want to have a breeze flowing through your home. Create this effect with open doors and windows first thing in the morning and late afternoon, after the hottest part of the day has been gone. The most important time to keep your windows open is at night when the air is coolest.
- COOK AND DINE OUTSIDE. The idea here is to avoid being stuck in the kitchen with the stove top or oven on, especially when it might feel like you are in an oven already. Avoid extra heat in the home by switching to outdoor cooking – BBQ, grilling, etc. Aside from the temperature difference, you will get more mileage out of your grill and utilize your outdoor living space more! If grilling outside is not an option, consider making meals that don’t require the use of an oven to cook, like salads, sandwiches, and Mezze platters.
- TURN OFF UNUSED APPLICANCES. Like an oven, other appliances around the house emit unwanted heat into your home. Consider turning your unused appliances off like your TV, desktop computers, and other electronic devices.
- INVEST IN ENERGY SAVING LIGHTBULBS. Light bulbs also contribute and add heat to your home. Keep your lights turned off when trying to cool your house down. Switch to low-energy light bulbs to reduce overheating and save money.
- INVEST IN SOME HOUSE PLANTS. Indoor plants are more than home décor! They make our living space happier, boost our mood, and keep our house cool. Did you know that plants act as natural air conditioners and generate moisture into the atmosphere through a process known as transpiration.
- USE FANS TO GET THE AIR MOVING! Set your ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise at a higher speed. The fan airflow will create a wind-chill breeze effect that will make you feel cooler. Pro tip, when using pedestal or small fans to cool down, leave a large bowl of mounded ice in front of it while it’s working. This will circulate cooler air around the room and function like a makeshift AC.
KEEPING COOL INSIDE DURING THE HOT MONTHS
- COOL YOUR BODY FIRST! Sip on tasty, iced drinks or ice-cold water. This small trick will help you cool off. Apply a cold washcloth to strong-pulsed areas like your neck and wrists to help you cool from the inside-out. Dressing light and wearing cotton clothes (breathable, soft, comfy fabrics) will also help you stay cool.
- SWAP OUT YOUR SHEETS. Pack away the heavy duvets and switch it up with some cooling cotton sheets instead. Pure cotton sheets are naturally breathable, so they help to regulate your temperature and moisture levels while you sleep.
- USE YOUR FRIDGE OR FREEZER TO PREP COOLING ITEMS. Another handy tip to keep you cool is the use of hot water bottle (but not like the name implies)! Fill the bottle with tap water and place it in the freezer for a few hours. Once super cool, place it at the foot of your bed.
- IMMERSE YOURSELF IN COOL WATER! If you’re hot, taking a cold shower or even a cold bath will help cool things off. Research says that a bath before bed helps to lower body’s core temperature, which in turn aids with better sleep.
JUNE IS NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP MONTH!
It celebrates the value that owning a home brings to families, communities, and neighborhoods across America. By becoming a homeowner, people get a step closer to the American dream.