As the summer heat rolls on, many homeowners are looking for summer tweaks and tips on how to keep things cool and comfortable when temperatures start rising during the day. This is especially true for those who live in spaces without adequate or functioning air conditioning, or those who want to cut back on energy costs despite the summer heat. The good thing is that there are quite a few trusted and proven ways to beat the heat as summer rolls in.
Read on to know how to keep house cool in summer naturally.
9 Easy Ways to Keep Your Home Naturally Cool in the Summer
- 9 Easy Ways to Keep Your Home Naturally Cool in the Summer
- Block Out The Heat
- Open Windows To Let Cool Air In
- Turn Off The Lights
- Use Ice Packs For A Quick Cool-Down
- Put Your Ceiling Fan On Summer Mode
- Take Your Meals Outside
- Use Cotton Sheets
- Take Cold Showers
- Use A DIY Air Conditioner
- Conclusion
- Contact The Better Home Heat Council For Your Home Heating Requirements
Below, you will find some useful tips on how to feel comfortable during the hottest part of the day, without breaking the bank!
Block Out The Heat
This is perhaps one of the most overlooked yet cost-effective ways to keep your indoor spaces cool. By preventing heat from coming in, you maintain ideal cool room temperatures even if it’s sweltering hot outside. This means keeping windows and doors closed, using drapes, curtains, and shades to keep the sun and the heat from coming in, and using thermal blocking films on the windows that are most exposed to sunlight during the day. Another effective blocking technique is to plant some greenery outside so that they block the windows. Not only will trees and shrubs effectively block sunlight, but they also have amazing temperature cooling properties too.
Open Windows To Let Cool Air In
In summer it is common for indoor spaces to heat up during the day as ambient temperatures increase. However, things get cooler as the day winds down and, in many cases, most households can enjoy cooler temperatures well into the early morning. Take advantage of low temperatures during these hours by opening the windows to let all that cool air in. This also allows the warm air in your home to flow out as the cool air moves in. You get to enjoy cooler indoor temperatures the natural way, as well as a fresh cool breeze if you open the windows on opposite ends of the home.
Turn Off The Lights
Turn off electrical appliances and lights when not in use. Lights that are turned on generate heat that disperses throughout the indoor space, adding to the increase in indoor temperature. Also, switch to more energy-efficient LED bulbs for cooler bulbs and better power savings.
Use Ice Packs For A Quick Cool-Down
In the summer there are going to be days when you just need a quick cool down. This is when you can put your freezer to good use. Place a water bottle, water bag, or reusable ice packs in the freezer so they’re all nice and frozen when you need to quickly cool off. Wrap the ice pack in a towel and place it on your forehead, behind the neck, under the armpits, and even under your feet at night for a cooler night’s sleep. This is a handy DIY tip that you can do ahead of time so you’ll have an ice pack ready when you need it. Another nifty trick is to pop your pillowcases in the fridge for a minute or two. This will give you cooler pillows to lay your head on for a good night’s sleep.
Put Your Ceiling Fan On Summer Mode
Most ceiling fans can be adjusted to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. In the summer, make sure that your fan blades are spinning counterclockwise. You can do this by moving the switch next to the motor from one side to the other. As the fan blades spin counterclockwise, they pull warm air up to the ceiling, allowing cooler air to occupy the living space below. On milder days, this can be enough to keep your living room comfortable enough for the whole family to hang out, without the need to turn the AC on.
Take Your Meals Outside
Al fresco dining makes for memorable summer memories and it also allows you to keep your home cooler especially if you cook your meals outside. Temperatures can rise significantly if you turn on the gas stove or the oven to cook. If you have an outdoor grill or a hibachi, you and the family can enjoy meals outside in the shade and keep indoor home temperatures low.
Use Cotton Sheets
It is always a good idea to switch to cotton linens and beddings when summer rolls in. Cotton is breathable which means it doesn’t trap heat. You can also opt for moisture-wicking cotton sheets for those humid nights.
Take Cold Showers
A quick cold shower is a great way to keep cool, especially on warm days. It’s so easy to get sweaty and sticky in the summer so it is perfectly normal to jump into the shower one or two times more than usual so you can stay cool and comfy. A cold shower is the quickest way to lower your core temperature down and it will leave you feeling fresh too.
Use A DIY Air Conditioner
You can make your own air conditioner using a portable fan and some ice, preferably big frozen blocks that you can make by freezing water in a small bucket or plastic jugs. Place these slabs of ice in front of a running fan so that the fan can blow over the ice, spreading cool air around the room. You’ll get the same cooling effect that a portable air conditioner can give you, without the hefty power bills.
If you have money to spare, upgrade to ductless air conditioners which offer zoned cooling, perfect for homes that do not have HVAC ductwork installed. Ductless HVAC systems also consume less power than traditional cooling systems, allowing you to keep your home cool using AC while keeping power costs reasonable.
Conclusion
You don’t have to spend a fortune on cooling costs this summer. Use these simple but effective hacks to keep cool and comfortable the natural way and see which ones work best for your home. You can even use these ideas at the same time for the greatest benefits and bigger energy savings.
Contact The Better Home Heat Council For Your Home Heating Requirements
The Better Home Heat Council (BHHC) is a local association that aims to help homeowners with everything that has to do with fuel oil heat. We provide knowledge on the economic and efficient use of heating oil. Also, we assist people in identifying and solving energy efficiency issues in their homes or office. We can help local residents find an effective and affordable path to ensure that their living areas become more efficient and cost-effective.
The BHHC also supports heating oil delivery service companies that offer services, products, and solutions to homeowners in the Lehigh Valley. If you are searching for a superior full-service home heating oil delivery company near you, click here. Rest assured that most of the fuel oil delivery service companies in our system also provide HVAC services, free energy consultations, and more! Get started – contact us today by clicking the button below.
For questions and concerns concerning your HVAC system or oil delivery, click here to contact the Better Home Heat Council today.