As temperatures continue to rise, we want our homes to offer us a little refuge from the humidity and heat. Nowadays, you can find almost in every household a central air-conditioning system or window A/C units for which we recommend this restoration service. During the summer, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to see their electric bill double—or even triple.
Find out how you can cool your home without blowing up the electric bill and keep the environment healthy at the same time.
Here are eight tips to chill out without turning the A/C on.
1. Use fans.
According to this energy broker, ceiling fans are surprisingly efficient in keeping rooms cool, and they use only approximately one-tenth of the electricity of a typical A/C. While they don’t actually lower the temperature, ceiling fans provide a cooling breeze and an effective way to move the air around your home.
You might not know this, but your ceiling fan needs to be adjusted seasonally. Set to run counter-clockwise in the summer for the best result. During the fall, change the rotation so that your fan blows the warm air down.
Use this simple trick to add a chill to the air and give off a faux sea breeze. Put a bowl with ice in front of the fan so that the air is extra-chilled.
If you have portable fans, place them in your near the window at night to bring in the cooler outside air.
2. Keep your blinds closed.
Did you know that almost 30% of the unwanted heat comes into your house through the windows? Keeping your blinds closed during the day can save you up to 10% on your electric bill and lower indoor temperatures by up to 20 degrees.
Consumer Reports recommends neutral-colored curtains with white plastic backings to reduce heat gain by up to 33%. You can also add a UV-blocking film to the windows that get the most sun.
Whether it’s curtains, blinds or window shades, just be sure to close them when the sun comes up till it goes down.
3. Ditch the incandescent lights.
Incandescent lightbulbs emit a lot of extra heat, so switching to low or no-heat bulbs like compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) is a simple way to keep your house cool in the summer. Replacing them with CFL bulbs also cuts down on your utility bill.
Led Lights are also an option as they use 75% less energy, reduce your fire risk, and can last up 25 times longer than older types of bulbs.
4. Open windows at night.
Usually, during summer nights, temperatures may drop; if so, make sure to take advantage of these refreshing hours and crack the windows before you go to bed. You can make use of cross-ventilation by opening windows at either end of the house.
5. Plant trees strategically.
One of the most important ways to keep your home fresh without A/C is planting shade trees. They will reduce the amount of heat by shielding your home from the sun’s rays.
Deciduous trees, like Oak, Maple, and Aspen-planted, are best at protecting your home from the sun, particularly if they’re planted on the west or east side of your home.
Trees are also a great way to add to the natural decor of your home. This is something to keep in mind any time you’re shopping for a new home.
6. Use breathable sheets
Seasonally switching your bedding will freshen up a room, but it’s also a great way to keep cool.
Breathable bedding is crucial to a chilly night’s sleep. Nothing is worse than waking up in hot sweat. Sateen or silk sheets are light but tend to confine heat. Choose natural materials like cotton or bamboo. Cooling pillows, mattress, and pillow pads also help keep your bed cooler.
7. Start grilling.
Ages ago, many houses had summer kitchens, and for a good reason. Using your stove or oven in the summer will make your home hotter. Try to limit your cooking to the early morning and plan dinners that don’t require heating up, like lettuce wraps or pasta salad.
8. Turn off electronics when not in use.
Lights, computers, and televisions all generate heat, which can make an already hot home even hotter. Turn them off when they’re not in use, and you’ll save twice on your energy bill.
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