Keep your cool during the hot summer months with these tips that are easy on your budget. Simply follow a few Earth-friendly DIY tips to keep your home cool and comfortable. Summer is right around the corner so grab your honey-do list and get busy.
Fans Cool Things Down:
One of the best ways to create a cool and comfortable space is to keep the air flowing. Create air movement by installing a ceiling fan. Most brands have a variety of settings including speed and the direction the fan turns. In the summer months, make sure the fan is set to turn counterclockwise, so the air is taken up towards the ceiling and away from you.
Keep your bathroom exhaust fans on during the summer, so hot air is taken up, up, and away from your home.
Do your high ceilings require a little help to clean? If your fan, mirrors, chandeliers, and other light fixtures need some attendance, consider the professionals at Squeegee Squad for all of your light fixture cleaning and high dusting needs.
Learn more about Squeegee Squad’s services here
Window Treatments & Blinds Keep Heat Out:
Look around your home and see how the direct sunlight shines through your windows during the day. Keep the sun out by closing your window treatments, shades, and blinds, especially during the sunniest times of the day. Switch out your curtains and blinds with window treatment fabrics that are actually heat-resistant and block the heat of the sun.
Apply a reflective, heat-reducing window film to your windows to help keep your room cool and comfortable in the summer and warm and cozy in the winter.
Consider adding awnings and shutters to windows and doors that receive direct sunlight. Screen in a patio or porch to block the direct sunlight and create a comfortable gathering space.
Open The Windows at Night:
Temperatures usually drop overnight so consider opening the windows in your home to let the cool air inside. Keep the doors open and turn on fans to create a cross breeze between rooms. Then, when you wake up, before the heat of the day returns, close the windows and window treatments to maintain a cooler temperature.
Improve Your Landscaping:
Let the power of nature work for you. Plant trees, bushes, vines, and other foliage on your property to create shade and prevent direct heat from entering your home. This could take a few years for the plants to mature, but the results are a beautiful and functional landscape.
Maintain Your Air Conditioner:
Out of sight, out of mind may just be costing you extra. An air conditioner that is not well maintained consumes twice as much energy as one that is regularly maintained. This includes cleaning the filter for proper airflow. Built-up dirt and debris could be making the unit work harder to maintain a proper temperature. A clean air conditioner will also circulate cleaner air inside your home.
Tip: Always refer to your air conditioner’s owner’s manual for proper cleaning and maintenance schedules and procedures. Consider installing a programmable thermostat to keep the temperature steady.
Improve Your Insulation:
If your home is properly insulated, it will stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Keep in mind that heat is probably coming through your walls, attic, and roof. These areas should be inspected by a professional insulation supplier who can show you where insulation is needed.
Tip: If you can see daylight through cracks in the walls, doors, and windows, these areas are hot spots for letting outside air inside.
Take Cooking Outdoors:
Summer is the perfect season to spend more time outside…cooking and eating. Refrain from baking and cooking inside during the hotter months. The oven will heat the temperature of the kitchen and other rooms in the home. Take the cooking outside to keep the cool air inside and always remember to kiss the cook.
Tip: The microwave oven, instant pot, and air fryer products are alternatives to using the oven offering cooler cooking options when cooking inside.
Your friends at Squeegee Squad encourage you to try these tips, keep your home cooler, and have an amazing summer!