With the temperatures outside rising, the same can happen indoors and it can be difficult to bring it down without A.C. or another cooling device. When you inevitably turn on the A.C. it has to work hard to cool the entire space, resulting in high electricity usage, high bills, and high CO2 emissions that can cause environmental issues. This article will tell you some exciting tips and tricks for keeping your home cool in the heat without using the A.C.
1. Keep your blinds closed.
Windows are the main contributor to heat getting in the home. Research shows that on average, houses get about 30% of its heat gain from the windows. Keeping your windows and blinds closed during the daytime will exponentially help keep your home cool.
2. Install cooling curtains.
When closing all the windows is not enough, sprinkle a sheet or towel with cold water and place it over any openings on the window. Sometimes air can leak in through the cracks at the top or bottom, so any hot air that gets in will hit the sheet and pass through the cool, damp cloth, which will help to cool down your home.
3. Try insulated window films.
Window films have numerous advantages, including lowering energy expenses and giving protection while still allowing you to enjoy the view and light of the great outdoors. In comparison to uncovered windows, they can deliver up to 98 percent radiant heat reduction and reduce temperature imbalances in your home.
4. “Hack” your windows.
On the downwind side of your house, open the top section of your windows, and on the upwind side, open the bottom section. In the right conditions, this will result in a cooling pressure current. By facing a box fan out the window, you can make things even cooler.
5. Install shutters to the exterior of windows.
These extra alternatives, such as shutters or awnings provide another layer of sun protection. Awnings are the most effective (and most expensive) option, reducing thermal gains by 65-75 percent when installed on south-and west-facing windows, respectively. Shutters or any other type of extra sun-blocking device will help reduce the air temperatures surrounding your home.
6. Try planting vines
Vines will function similarly to putting up a cover. Ivy and other fast-growing vines provide soothing shade by covering the sunlight that heats up the outer wall. In addition to blocking the sun, the vines will also produce oxygen and beautiful decoration for the exterior of your home.
7. Create a cross-breeze through the house.
Okay, we know we just told you that you should keep your windows shut. However, there are moments when you just need to feel the breeze on your skin. If you must open the windows, do so strategically so that air can move freely throughout the house. This entails opening windows on opposing sides of the home and keeping doors open to allow air to freely circulate. You could also direct a fan toward a window, allowing the hot air to escape. Keep drapes and blinds closed as much as possible to block direct sunlight. If you have sash windows, make sure the top and bottom are both open to the same extent.
8. Water bowls around the house.
Placing water bowls around the house is one of the best tricks to cooling your house. When the air crosses over these water bowls, it becomes naturally cool and its temperature drops, so it produces a cooling effect when it enters the house. The same principle was applied to the old temples and castles in many regions of India and Pakistan during the age of the Mughal empires. They made water pools at the entrances of the temples, so it has the same effect as placing water bowls around the house.
9. Install or turn on ceiling fans.
It’s no secret that moving air is known for making you feel cooler. Installing and/or using fans (ceiling and others) are an obvious way you can create air movement that will help you cool down while avoiding the cost of lowering the thermostat setting any further. Run your ceiling fan counterclockwise in the summer to bring cooler air upwards. You can also turn on your bathroom exhaust fans to help remove the rising warm air from the outside of your home.
10. The Ice Fan.
Speaking of fans, not everyone would think to make it an ice fan. Any normal fan can be used as an ice fan by simple placing a bowl or jar of ice in front of it. As the fan throws wind inside the room, the ice will reduce the temperature and cool the area more than a regular fan would. If the fan is shorter (as seen in the picture), you can easily stack books or Tupperware to ensure the ice is directly in the air flow.
11. Apply Heat Reducing Film
With over 30% of ambient heat entering your home through the windows, one quick and inexpensive way to keep your home cool is to install a reflective, heat-reducing window film. It also operates in reverse during the winter months, keeping extra warm air inside, and it's simple to install!
12. Plant shade trees and other greenery.
A well-placed tree can have a huge impact on your home's comfort. Planting a tree may not provide immediate benefits, but it is an excellent method to shade your home while also adding color and beauty to your landscape. Other possibilities include vines and other tall plants, which would produce faster results but will require more effort in the long run.
13. Consider a couple of large upgrades like repainting or getting a new roof.
The finishing touches on your house could be a major issue. When the opportunity rises, you should consider painting your home in a lighter color and/or replacing your roof with shingles that provide greater heat protection than regular shingles. Some better examples include slate, concrete, clay, certain tiles, and metal. The external paint and roof are the first line of defense in terms of safeguarding your property from the sun's heat. Rather than storing and absorbing the sun's energy, they should reflect and release it. However, because these are obviously quite expensive solutions, they should only be considered when they are due for a replacement/upgrade, or, as previously stated, if the heat is causing serious problems in your home.
14. Keep doors inside the home open.
While locking doors in the winter helps keep heat in specific areas, doing so in the hot summer months is counterproductive. You want air to circulate freely throughout your home, including between rooms. Keep indoor doors open if you don't want your home to become a suffocating hotbox. If you have rooms that aren’t in use, consider closing the doors and vents to it to keep cooling costs lower.
15. Turn on bathroom exhaust fans.
While you probably already turn on the fan whenever you shower, in the hot summer months, you should leave it on for a little longer than usual. Hot showers certainly heat up bathrooms a lot, and that heat may easily spread to the rest of the house. So, when you get out of the shower, don't just switch off the fan; leave it on for another 20 or 30 minutes so it can truly take the hot air out. No need to be concerned about your energy bills as bathroom fans are low-cost gadgets with a simplistic design.
16. Turn off/replace incandescent lights.
While incandescent light bulbs emit a mellow golden glow that creates a pleasant mood in the home, they also generate a lot of heat. While a couple bulbs may not make your home unpleasantly hot, still consider replacing them with cooler, more energy-efficient bulbs such as LED.
17. Do chores at night.
Machines generate a great deal of heat. The washing machine uses hot water, and dryers use warm air, both of which inevitably escape and radiate from the machine. You can’t avoid doing laundry, but you can make sure it isn't heating your home during the hottest hours of the day. To keep things cooler, do your washing at night. Clean the dryer vent on a regular basis for a faster cycle. Your dishwasher also generates a lot of heat. Run it at night, just like the washing, to reduce the warming effect. Start your dishwasher before you go to bed if you have a quiet model, and you'll wake up with clean dishes!
18. Skip the oven & stove to grill outside
Any use of the oven or stovetop will heat your home. So, what's a person to do? Clean up the grill and become acquainted with it! Many of the foods you'd make in an oven or on the stovetop can be grilled, including meat, pizza, vegetables, fish, and even sweets like cobbler! If you do decide to use the stove, make sure the fan is turned on, especially if it vents to the outside. It won't cool things much if it just recirculates the air, but it will increase airflow.
19. Maximize your air conditioner.
When it comes to air conditioning, the smoother and more effective it runs, the better it will chill your home when needed. Installing a programmable thermostat, rather than tinkering with the temperature every morning and evening, can aid this process. The following are summer temperature recommendations:
During the hours you're at home, set the temperature to 75◦ F, plus or minus 1-2 degrees (the warmer the setting, the more energy-efficient it is. energy.gov recommends 78 degrees); during the hours you're gone, set the thermostat to 80◦ F, plus or minus 1-2 degrees.
20. Give your ducts a boost.
Installing a duct booster fan can draw extra cold air into a hot room with its simple plug-in-and-power-on design. Simply select the style that best suits your needs, install it in the register vent, and then plug it in to cool your space quickly and easily.
21. Change your AC filters regularly.
If you have an air conditioner, change your air filters every 4-6 weeks (check them more frequently if you're using the furnace fan). A clogged filter decreases not just air quality but also airflow efficiency. Know your filter size and keep a couple of extras on hand.
22. Consider a dehumidifier.
People and pets are far more uncomfortable in moist heat than in dry heat. Dehumidifiers remove moisture from your home's hot summer air, making it considerably more comfortable, even at higher temperatures. Maintain an indoor humidity level of less than 60%. Use a unit that switches off when humidity falls below your desired level to save money on electricity. Water your plants with the water collected by the humidifier.
23. Unplug and switch off your devices.
Appliances around the house emit a surprising amount of heat. By turning them off, you can reduce internal heat gain. Turn them off (don't just leave them on standby) when they're not in use, and make sure the backs of refrigerators and freezers have enough ventilation room. These appliances may add a lot of unwanted heat to a room. Hang your clothes to dry instead of using the dryer and wash any dishes by hand if possible. These actions will take a little longer, but they will prevent electrical equipment from overheating the house (not to mention, chop a bit of money off your energy bills).
Conclusion:
By applying the above-mentioned tips and tricks you can reduce the room and house temperatures. Most of these methods aren’t too expensive to implement and can save you a lot of money in the long run. Even better, doing some of these tricks will even help the environment!
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