Summer is coming, the days are getting longer, and you know what that means: it’s time to turn up the AC. Keeping your home cool during this annual heatwave is no easy task, but it is possible.
Read on as we tell you how to stay cool this summer!
1. Fix Those Leaks
For the most efficient AC usage, make sure your house isn’t leaking heat like a sieve. Seal up any gaps and holes around windows and doors and insulate your hot water pipes with pipe insulation to keep them from absorbing heat from outside sources.
2. Prevent Air Infiltration
Preventative measures are key to minimizing AC use. Check the incoming air vent on your furnace to make sure there’s no dust or debris stopping it from working properly. Also, check that all your windows and doors are sealed completely; you don’t want any of that hot air getting in.
3. Get Your Ducts Clean
Dirty ductwork is wasteful ductwork! You can prevent this by having them cleaned out at least once a year, but if they get really bad, an expert can clean them with high-pressure air instead of needing to take apart each individual duct yourself.
4. Watch Your Blinds
The wrong window dressing will have you running the AC constantly during the day when it’s just sitting in the sun. Keep blinds, and other window coverings closed during the day to reflect away excess sunlight; open them at night if you want the cooling effect of the (relative) cold outside.
5. Use Fans
If you’re ensconced in a room with no windows, having good airflow is of utmost importance. There are several types of fans out there that work just as well as the AC at keeping things cool and comfortable–and they don’t use up nearly as much energy. Use oscillating or box fans to circulate air through your house instead of cooling down one spot and letting the rest of the room bake, and enjoy!
6. Make Homemade Ice Packs
If you want to really go all out on keeping cool this summer without opening the wallet too much, make some ice packs! Fill up plastic bags with water and freeze them–you can also add any flavorings like fruit juice or Kool-Aid powder mix to make it more interesting (or even add in some frozen berries or mint leaves for decoration when it’s done).
7. Get the Windows Fixed
If your windows have any cracks or leaks, they’re going to let all the hot air in during a heatwave, and you won’t be able to keep things cool regardless of how many fans you have on. Have them replaced by a residential glass replacement contractor so you can stay cool without breaking the bank!
8. Plant Shade Trees Around Your House
Planting trees around your house is a good idea for lots of reasons, but did you know they can also help keep your house cool? Plant shade trees on the side of your house that gets the most sun to keep it from getting too hot!
9. Make a DIY Air Conditioner
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a good air conditioner when you make your own with this simple guide. All you need is a Styrofoam cooler, an ice tray, and some water-soluble glue or adhesive tape. Cut off the bottom of the cooler and mount the ice tray in it upside down–your mini-cooler will now blow out cold air instead of heat when it’s in use!
10. Clean Out Your Appliances
After long periods of disuse, appliances around your home can harbor dust and dirt that makes them inefficient or unusable. Cleaning them out and dusting off the coils will make sure they’re ready for prime time when you need to bust out the AC.
Clean out your refrigerator, oven, dishwasher, and other appliances to make sure they are working at their full potential efficiency when you need them most.
11. Look Into Solar Panels
Though not exactly a DIY project, installing solar panels on your roof can save you lots of money in the long run by letting you buy less energy from the local power company while keeping your house cool for free–it sounds like a win-win!
So there you have it! Eleven easy ways to keep your house cool this summer without breaking the bank. Some of them are as simple as closing the blinds or using a fan, while others require a bit more effort, like getting your ducts cleaned or installing solar panels. But all of them will help you stay comfortable and save money on energy costs during the hottest months of the year. Which ones will you try first?
