When the weather heats up this summer in SoCal, we’ll all be desperately trying to keep the temperature down at home. If you don’t have air conditioning, or if you’re trying to save on the cooling bills this presents a particularly sticky situation.
Some rooms are naturally hotter than others based on their location and size but fortunately there are some easy ways to keep the hottest room cool this summer. You don’t have to sweat it out to save money or pay an arm and a leg to keep the air conditioning running all day – there’s plenty of painless tricks that can keep you cool.
Here are some ways to keep the house cool & your energy bill low this summer:
CLOSE OFF UNUSED ROOMS
You probably have rooms in your home that aren’t in use all the time like that extra bedroom or your home office. Closing those doors during the day will make a world of difference in keeping your warmest and most utilized rooms more comfortable. That being because shutting the door keeps the cool air confined to just the rooms you use.
REVERSE YOUR CEILING FAN DIRECTION
Did you know that setting your ceiling fans to blow counter-clockwise creates a wind-chill effect, making your inside temperature lower? It’s true. Change the rotation of your ceiling fans with the seasons for optimal temperature and energy consumption.
SWITCH YOUR LIGHTBULBS
Yep, making a simple switch from incandescent bulbs to the newer, more efficient CFLs will have a significant impact on the temperature of your rooms. About 90% of the energy produced by traditional incandescent bulbs is wasted through the heat they emit.
Not only will there be a bit of a difference in the temperature of your rooms, but you’ll also save a bit on your electric bill by making the switch.
ADD SOME HOME IMPROVEMENTS
By investing in a few simple home improvements, you can have a dramatic effect on the indoor temperature. Insulated window films work like blinds to keep the heat from pouring into your home from the sun’s glare. Also, planting trees strategically around your house will add shade to cool things down quite a lot.
Installing an awning is another way to add shade and create a cool outdoor living space, in addition to chilling things near the windows. Taking these measures will often add value to your home as well.
USE THE EXHAUST FANS
By using bathroom fans and the kitchen exhaust fan, you’ll be removing the rising hot air that is produced by showering or cooking. This may seem like an obvious step but it can easily be overlooked when in a hurry.
Taking the time to use these fans can make a big difference in the build-up of heat in rooms that are already too hot for comfort.
KEEP THE BLINDS CLOSED
Keeping your shades, curtains, or blinds closed during the day will help to block the sun’s heat-producing rays from entering your home. Doing this simple step can make a huge impact on the indoor temperature, and can even lower your utility bills. According to a shutters store in Lakeland FL, Sunburst shutters, this is particularly important for the windows facing south and west.
LET THE AIR IN AT NIGHT
When the temperature drops at night, you’ll want to begin preparing to capitalize on that cooler air. Especially if you’re living by the beach, you want to capitalize on any coastal breeze you can get.
Crack your windows open a bit before you go to bed. You can use a fan to create a cross breeze throughout your home and help disperse the air. But don’t forget to close those windows in the morning before the sun begins to heat up again!
These are just a few tricks to keep in mind when you want to cool things down inside your home without turning on the air conditioning. Keep cool and stay smart this summer!
Thank you for reading. I hope you found this information useful.
Jeff Pittman, Realtor in Ladera Ranch – Orange County, California