Spring is here, and rising temperatures are right around the corner. It is crucial to find ways to keep a house cool in the summer. Air conditioning is the obvious answer, but pumping cold forced air through a house all day and night can get expensive. Plus, it is not great for the environment. Thankfully, there are other ways to keep your house at a comfortable temperature all season long. Keep reading to learn about the best ways to keep a house cool in the summer.
Top Tips to Keep a House Cool in the Summer
Make Sure Your Home is Properly Insulated
Keeping your house cool starts at the same place as keeping your house warm: with its insulation. The insulation in the walls prevents the warm air from passing through, so it helps to keep the air temperature in the house cool. If your home is not insulated well, take time before the temperatures rise to improve your insulation so you can remain comfortable all summer.
Close Your Blinds
Much of the unwanted heat in a house comes from the windows. So, keeping your blinds, shades and curtains closed can keep that heat out of your living space. This simple move can save you money on your energy bill as well as keep the indoor temperature of your home cooler. This trick is especially helpful for windows that are either south or west-facing.
Close Doors to Unused Rooms
There is no need to keep unused rooms cool all day. So, rooms that are not in use should be closed off from the rest of the house. That way the cool air that flows through the house can be concentrated in the areas that are being used the most by you and your family.
Use Fans
Fans are a wonderful tool to use in the summer. Both ceiling fans and standard fans do a great job cooling off the air around them. For the maximum effect from a ceiling fan, set it to run counter-clockwise to get the best airflow. You can even create a simulated sea breeze by filling a large bowl with ice and putting it in front of a moving fan. As the fan creates wind, the air will be cooled by the ice and create a pleasant breeze that is perfect on a hot summer’s day.
Swap out Your Incandescent Lights
Traditional incandescent light bulbs emit a lot of heat, which can make the temperatures in your house warmer than necessary. Simply swapping out all of your old light bulbs and replacing them with compact florescent lamps (CFLs) will reduce the level of heat and make your home cooler. Plus, it will help you save money on your electric bill, too. Further, whether you stick with incandescent bulbs or switch to CFLs, keep the lights off except when they are needed to further reduce any heat that is emitted from them.
Cook Outside
Using your stove and oven to prepare your meals generates a lot of heat that will not only affect the kitchen but will also spread to other areas of the house as well. So, summer is the perfect time for taking your cooking endeavors outdoors. Fire up the grill and cook your meals outside. You can even take it a step further and dine al fresco.
Remove the Humidity From the Air
Lowering the humidity level in your house will help you feel cooler. Buy a small dehumidifier for your house and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.
Keep Your Windows Open
Keep as many windows open as you can. It is especially helpful if you can keep at least some windows at both ends of the house open, that way you can get some cross-ventilation that will help keep the indoor temperature down.
Unplug Electronic Devices
Electric appliances and other devices generate a lot of heat when they are plugged in, even when they are not in use. Unplug any electronic devices that you can when they are not in use. If you have kids or other people in the house who spend hours playing video games, consider limiting screen time to cut down on the electrical output from these devices. Reducing these small amounts of heat can combine to cool the indoor temperature a few degrees.
Opt for Line-Drying Your Clothes
Your clothes dryer is a heat multiplier, so it will heat your house up fast. If you do not need your clothes right away, consider hanging them outside to dry. A summer breeze is a great medium for drying your clothes and leave them smelling fresh and new. Plus, as the breeze moves through your wet clothes it will cool down as it moves toward your house, further cooling your indoor temperature.
Taking a few proactive steps is the key to keeping your house cool all summer while not going broke trying to pay for air conditioning.
If you are ready to move from your current home to one that is easier to cool in the summer, Ben Buys Indy Houses can take your home off your hands fast. We will buy your hard-to-cool house for cash and get the process done in less than 30 days. If you are ready to make a move, contact us today to see how we can help you.
