7 Tips to Keep Your Home Cool This Summer

Finding ways to stay cool in the summer heat can feel impossible. Here are some easy and cost-cost effective tips to help you beat the heat and save energy.

Draft proof your home

Like heat, the cool air inside your home can escape through doors, windows, or other poorly insulated cracks. Sealing cracks with weather stripping and caulking will reduce your homes air leakage and help save money on your energy bills. Check out our DIY draft detector for more information on how to find drafts.

Use windows strategically

On warmer days, shut windows and curtains to help keep the heat from entering your home. In the evening open your windows to allow the cool air to enter.

Use a fan

If you have ceiling fans, be sure to use them the right way. In the summer, this means running fans to create a downdraft. Fans create a cooling effect for people through evaporation. The movement of air over your skin evaporates moisture on your skin’s surface. This pulls heat away from your body, creating a cooling effect for you. Remember that ceiling fans cool people, not rooms, so turn the fan off when you’re not using the room.

Set your  air conditioning thermostat properly

Try and set your air conditioning thermostat to the highest degree you can stand. The closer the thermostat temperature  is to the outside temperature, the less your air conditioner will have to work, which will decrease your energy usage.

Experiment with the temperature   

According to ENERGY STAR® the coolest you should keep your house is 25C°/78° F. This allows for optimal cooling while staying energy efficient. Over time try experimenting with the temperature, for every degree you raise the temperature you can save 3% on your air conditioning costs.

Lower the temperature at night

During the night when the temperature starts to drop it’s a good idea to turn your air conditioning   down as well. This way you’re able to stay cool while you’re air conditioner is using less energy.

Chose the proper area

If possible try to avoid installing your air conditioner in an area exposed to direct sunlight. Air conditioners that aren’t exposed to direct sunlight consume 5% less energy than those that are.

Resources:

http://www.consumerreports.org/air-conditioners/best-setting-for-central-air-conditioning/
https://www.cnet.com/news/how-hackers-can-ruin-your-summer-vacation/