Keeping Your Home Cool In The Summer Heat
Summertime may bring many wonderful things but the extreme heat is not one of them. For many, using air conditioning is not affordable nor available. Here are some tips for keeping your house cool in the summer heat, with or without AC.
Keep Your Blinds Closed
As simple as this tip may seem, Family Handyman notes that up to 30% of unwanted heat comes from your windows, and utilizing shades or curtains can save you up to 7% on bills and lower indoor temperatures by up to 20 degrees. In other words, closing the blinds essentially prevents your home from becoming a miniature greenhouse.
Swap Your Sheets
Photo by Volha Flaxeco on Unsplash
Not only does seasonally switching your bedding freshen up a room, but it’s also a great way to keep cool. While textiles like flannel sheets and fleece blankets are fantastic for insulation, cotton is a smarter move this time of year as it breathes easier and stays cooler. As an added bonus, buy yourself a buckwheat pillow or two. Because buckwheat hulls have a naturally occurring air space between them, they won’t hold on to your body heat like conventional pillows, even when packed together in a pillow case.
Ditch The Incandescent Lights
If you ever needed motivation to make the switch to CFLs, or compact fluorescent lamps, this is it. Incandescent bulbs waste about 90 percent of their energy in the heat they emit, so tossing them to the curb will make a small difference in cooling your home while lowering your electric bill.
Focus On The Temperature In Your Body, Not Your House
Photo by Rawpixel on Unsplash
From sipping tasty iced drinks to applying a cold cloth to strong-pulsed areas like your neck and wrists, cooling yourself from the inside out is not a bad idea. Other tricks include being smart about your clothing choices and telling your partner you won’t be cuddling until the leaves start changing color.
Utilize Built-in Fans
Turn on your bathroom fan. Or the exhaust fan in your kitchen, for that matter. Both pull the hot air that rises after you cook or take a steamy shower out of your house or apartment. Being frugal and trying to save on your electric bill isn’t just about your wallet. With every watt you save you are reducing your environmental impact as well.
Start Grilling
Photo by Alp Studio on Unsplash
Using your oven or stove in the summer will make your house hotter. If it already feels like 40 degrees in your home, the last thing you want to do is turn on a 400-degree oven. Besides, who doesn’t want to get more mileage out of their outdoor furniture and seasonal accessories?
Discover The Benefits Of Condo Living
A brand new condo at Pacific Landing comes fully equipped with everything you need to stay cool in the summer heat. Each suite has its own high efficiency electric heat pump with A/C to keep you cool in the summer and toasty in the winter. Double-paned windows come standard for better insulation from the outside temperature. Located right on the waterfront, you can step outside onto your balcony or open some windows to feel that nice ocean breeze. Register today to book a private tour of our sales centre.
