Although it is FREEZING outside, these are some awesome ideas to keep in the back of your mind on how to keep your house cool this summer! I have always wanted a programmable thermostat and after reading this, it is on my list to get! Thanks to Ashley Carter for the guest post. Ashley is a full time college student writing her way through college. When she’s not writing she enjoys hiking and any other outdoor activity imaginable.
As a mom, you know that no one in your family likes a hot house, or a huge utility bill, in the summer. Discover four tricks you can practice to keep your home cooler in the summer and everyone in your family happier.
Use Fans Strategically
Image via Flickr by cdsessums
Fans are a low-cost alternative to air conditioning, but you need to use them properly. Fans don’t actually reduce the temperature; instead, they help you feel cooler by circulating air in a space.
If you place portable fans around your cooling vents, you can help circulate the air from your air conditioner around the entire space, reducing the work your HVAC system needs to do. Here’s another suggestion: Put a bowl of ice in front of a fan. As the ice melts, bits of the liquid will evaporate, and the fan will propel the water vapor at you, cooling you down.
Turn Off Your Air Conditioner During the Day
A common myth about home cooling suggests that you should leave the air conditioner on when you have an empty home. However, running the air conditioner all day results in increased utility bills. Naturally, you’ll have to wait for the house to cool down when you get home.
One way to use less energy to cool your home is through a programmable thermostat. Set your thermostat to turn on the air conditioning about an hour before you and your family arrive home. Even better, find a smart thermostat that you can remotely access with your smart device to adjust your home’s temperature.
Welcome the Night Air
If you live in all but the warmest locations of the country, the night air is probably more bearable than the daytime heat. Once the temperatures have cooled down slightly outdoors, consider opening your windows and inviting some night air into your home. Not only are open windows a way to cut temperatures inside your house, air circulation can also clear out any stuffy air inside your home.
If you can leave the windows open overnight, you can get the house to a comfortable temperature during the nighttime hours, meaning less work for your air conditioner the next day.
Block and Seal Windows During the Day
During the day, closing windows is necessary to keep the air conditioning and cool air inside your home. But simply shutting the windows is not enough. You also need to make sure they are properly insulated, since leaky windows will reduce your system’s energy efficiency over time.
Check your home’s weatherstripping to make sure no air escapes your home. Moreover, use window treatments, such as solid curtains and venetian blinds, to reflect the sun’s light during the day.
With some creativity and planning, keeping your home cool during the summer months doesn’t need to break your bank account. Consider your options, make smart energy-conscious choices, and create a comfortable home for your family without having to pay the high costs for running your air conditioning system all the time.
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