Five Tips to Keep Your Home Cool (and Your AC Bill Low) This Summer

Five Tips to Keep Your Home Cool (and Your AC Bill Low) This Summer

source netichome.com

   

Published: July 23, 2015 - by Kelsey Reaves

When you hear of a summer heat warning, it’s time to begin looking into ways to keep your home cooler. Here are five tips to keep your home cool (and your AC bill low) this summer!

1. Fans are Your Best Friends

Don’t underestimate the power of a good ‘ole ceiling- or standing fan! Sometimes you can get away without turning on your air conditioner if you have fans that can keep you feeling cool. Real Simple magazine suggests that you can cool your room down at night by allowing a window fan to face outward. By using this method, hot air in your room will be sent outside and it will make room for cool air inside. Another way to make use of traditional fans is by installing a few large ceiling fans in areas of your home that you spend the most time in. Energy.gov, an expert in the field, says that ceiling fans are the most effective type of traditional cooling. By creating a draft in the room, ceiling fans help your home feel cooler. So, how do fans make it seem cooler without reducing the temperature of the air? Green Building Advisor explains that “moving air accelerates the rate at which perspiration evaporates from your skin. The evaporation process requires heat, so increased evaporation means that more heat is leaving your body.”

2. Keep the Heat Out of the Kitchen

Have you ever tried to bake cookies on a hot summer day? It’s the absolute worst! An oven can drastically change the temperature in your kitchen and entire home. One of the easiest ways to keep your home cool is by avoiding using hot appliances in the kitchen. If you can, avoid appliances altogether and prepare meals outside. Make it fun by trying new grilling recipes or even preparing meals over a fire. If you can’t cook outside, About Home suggests trying alternative cooking appliances. Crock Pots, microwave ovens, and electric skillets let off a lot less heat than your oven. You can also take on a meal that only involves cold food. Fresh strawberries, deli sandwiches, and chips and salsa never looked so good when you’re cooler!

3. Close Blinds & Windows

One of the biggest mistakes you can make on a hot summer day is keeping your blinds open. Letting the light in makes your space a lot hotter and harder to cool off. Medium-covered curtains can also help beat the heat. The Department of Energy says “when completely closed and lowered on a sunny window, highly reflective blinds can reduce heat gain by around 45%.” Along with blinds and shades, you should keep your windows completely closed. When you leave your windows open, you let hot air inside your home. Lock cool air inside your home and use a fan to circulate the air to make it feel even cooler. This works when the temperature is hotter outside than it is inside.

4. Optimize Your AC When You Use It

If and when you do choose to use your air conditioning, optimize it! Invest in Energy Star-rated air conditioners and you’ll be using much less energy and get a lower electric bill. Another way to optimize your air conditioning is to close the doors of rooms you aren’t using. There’s no sense in air-conditioning spaces that you aren’t in! Regular maintenance will also keep your air conditioning working at its best. Change the air conditioning’s filter and make sure it has enough lubricant. Lastly, when using an air conditioner, supplement it with a fan! The fan will circulate the cooled air and it will help you feel cooler.

5. Let the Air Flow at Night

When the night comes, let the cool air in! Take time to locate a cross breeze in your home and make the most of it. We suggest keeping your windows unobstructed and allowing for the maximum amount of air to come in! If you’re hesitant about leaving windows open, look into windows that can be opened while still being secure. Safe At Home Security Guide suggests having horizontal sliding windows or vertical sliding windows installed so that you can make the most of the cool air without worrying about an intrusion.

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