When the weather gets too hot, it means it’s time to start thinking about ways to keep your home cool.
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t want to spend a fortune on air conditioning.
And you don’t have to.
The good news is that there are tons of ways to keep your home cool during the summer.
Here are a couple of tips and tricks that can help you keep the temperatures down without breaking the bank.
Draw the Curtains and Keep Your Windows Closed
One of the quickest and easiest ways to keep your home cool is to simply close your windows and draw your curtains. This will help to block out the hot sun, and it will also create a barrier against the hot outside air.
Also, consider investing in some sun-blocking window treatments. These can make a big difference in your home’s temperature and can also help reduce your energy bills.
Create a Cross-Through Breeze
Another great way to keep your home cool is to create a cross-through breeze. To do this, simply open the windows on opposite sides of your home. This will allow the hot air to escape and the cooler air to come in.
If you have ceiling fans, make sure that they are set to rotate counterclockwise. This will help to create a cooling breeze in your home.
Buy Airy Bedding
When it comes to bedding, look for airy materials that will help to keep you cool at night. Cotton is always a good choice, but there are other options as well.
You might also want to consider using a cooling mattress pad or pillow. These can make a big difference in how comfortable you are at night.
Ecosa mattresses have some of the best cooling technology to help you get a good night’s sleep during those hot nights. Feel free to pick from their various offerings.
Get House Plants
Plants in the house can keep your indoor air cooler during hot days.
When the air gets warm, plants release excess water from their leaves through a process known as transpiration. This increases the house’s indoor moisture level, reducing the heat in the air.
For proper cooling, go for leafy plants or those with high water content. The best house plants for cooling include Ficus, Aloe Vera, Snake Plant, Rubber Plant, Boston Fern, and Bamboo Palm.
Place house plants that thrive in direct sun in front of windows for maximum heat control, as they’ll block the sun while also releasing cool moisture into the atmosphere.
Switch Off Appliances
Electrical appliances release heat while running, making the indoors warmer.
These include dishwashers, laundry machines, televisions, desktop computers, and ovens. If they are not in use, unplug them to prevent the production of excess heat inside the house.
Alternatively, you can schedule using the appliances at night or in the morning when the air is cool.
This means scheduling tasks such as baking, laundry, and washing dishes for the cooler hours of the night or day. You can completely avoid using the oven by switching to an outdoor grill.
Set the Ceiling Fan to Rotate Anticlockwise
When the ceiling fan rotates clockwise, it pulls warm air from the bottom of the house toward the ceiling. But when it rotates anticlockwise, it pushes cool air from the top of the house to the bottom.
The former is useful in winter to heat up the house, while the latter works during the summer to cool down indoor temperatures.
When the summer heat sets in, set your fan to rotate anticlockwise to push down a cool breeze throughout the room.
Install an Awning
Install awnings above your windows and glass doors to block out the sunlight.
By keeping the sun’s rays from hitting the windows directly, awnings prevent heat transfer inside the house. Opt for light-colored awnings as they work better at reflecting away the sun’s light and heat.
Keep Unused Rooms Closed
If you have any unused rooms in the house, keep their windows and doors closed throughout.
This keeps cool air in other rooms from escaping into them, which would lead to wasting conditioned air in an unused space.
Focus on keeping your cool air in the rooms you actually use during the day. You can also seal air vents in unused rooms to ensure they are not getting air-conditioned.
Get a Smart Thermostat
Another way to keep your home cool is to get a smart thermostat. This device can make it easier to keep your home at a comfortable temperature and help you save money in the process.
By automatically adjusting the temperature when it gets too hot, smart thermostats keep your home cool without you lifting a finger and without guesswork.
There are a lot of different thermostats, so do your digging and find the one that’s right for you.
Place Water Bowls Around the House
Placing water bowls around the house will also help cool down your home.
The evaporation from the water will help to cool the air, and it’s a great way to keep your pets cool as well. Just make sure to change the water often so that it doesn’t get too stagnant, or it could become a breeding ground for pathogens.
Swap Your Light Bulbs for LEDs
Swapping out your light bulbs for LEDs will help keep your home slightly cooler. LED bulbs emit less heat than traditional incandescent bulbs and can therefore help you save money on your energy bills.
However, be sure to buy LEDs that are specifically designed for hot weather. Some LEDs can actually make the heat worse, so it’s important to do your research before making the switch.
Beat the Summer Heat
The hot weather doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Take advantage of the above cooling strategies to keep your home comfortable despite the hot weather.
Clearly, there are plenty of ways to keep your home cool without spending a lot of money.
The water bowls and airy bedding are great ways to maintain your home’s temperature without splurging. So don’t sweat it, and enjoy the summer weather.