Summer is coming, and with it come the dog days of summer. That means you’re probably already thinking about how to keep your house cooler without running the AC all the time. Let’s face it, in some areas of the country, you can’t help but run the AC super cold because the heat outside is intense. But aside from running it on the coolest setting all the time, there are plenty of more energy-efficient upgrades you can make to your home and a couple of habits you can adopt during the hottest part of the summer. Here’s how to keep your house cooler.
Check Your Insulation
When was the last time you went into your attic? If you own an older home, it’s likely that the insulation is as old as the house. That means that you might not be getting the best insulation value available. Better insulation does two things. First, it helps a house stay warm in the winter by keeping the heat in and the cold air outside. And for the summer months, it helps keep the cooler air-conditioned air inside and the hot sun out. If you think you’re losing energy efficiency in your house it’s time to investigate insulation installation in Orange County, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Whether you’re in Southern California or Southern Florida, it’s going to be hot this summer.
Look Into Cooler Roofing Upgrades
Some roofs are just hot. Then they make everything in the house hot as well. New roofing technology keeps the heat off your house and outside where it belongs instead of turning your whole house into an oven that you need to try and cool off. It’s worth checking if you’re due for a new roof to see what options you have, especially if you get hot weather most of the year.
Hang Blackout Curtains
East and west-facing windows will get the most sunlight throughout the day. The windows you should consider putting up blackout curtains the most on are the ones that get the hot afternoon sun. West-facing windows can heat up a home tremendously. If you’re home when the sun starts coming in those windows, you can easily block that heat from getting into your home with blackout curtains or blackout blinds.
Install Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are a great addition to any home. They help to move air around, Did you know there are two directions that your ceiling fan can turn? If you turn the switch that’s located above the fan blades while the fan is off, make sure they turn counterclockwise during the summer. This ensures that the cool breeze gets forced downward, in turn keeping your home much cooler in the summertime.
Unplug Electronics When Not in Use
Your appliances put out a lot more heat than you probably realize. Some of them even suck energy when they are turned off. If you can manage it, turn off these electronics and appliances by unplugging them when not in use. Of course, you wouldn’t be able to turn off your refrigerator, and it would probably be tough to unplug your stove, but your TV, Blu-Ray player, toaster oven, and other small appliances probably don’t need to stay plugged in all the time.
Don’t Use the Stovetop or Oven
If you prefer grilling, then this tip won’t be too hard for you to do. While cooking at home on your stove is great for your health, it does heat up your house. If you’re trying to stay cool because you don’t have AC, or you’re trying to cut your electric bill down a bit this year, start thinking about all the things you can cook on a grill, or that you can eat without needing to cook. Delicious salads, fruit, lean lunch meat, and grilled meats are all excellent things to eat instead of cooking all day every day.
Upgrade Your Windows and Doors
Did you know that having double or triple-paned windows help to better insulate your house? If you can’t put new windows everywhere, consider starting by upgrading the windows on the west-facing side of your house. That way, when the afternoon sun hits, it won’t heat up your rooms nearly as much as single or double-paned windows do.