Spring is here in earnest now, and the weather is starting to heat up for a lot of us, with summer not that far away. As such, you might find yourself relying on the heat a lot less and, on occasion, looking towards the AC instead. However, it’s not the only way to keep the house cool, especially as the cost of running it gets higher and higher. Here, we’re going to look at a few ways you can keep your home cooler much more easily, so you don’t have to rely on your AC quite as much.
Seal Gaps And Prevent Air Leaks
If your home isn’t able to maintain a good barrier between itself and the outside environment, then you’re going to have to run the AC more in the summer, and run the heating more often in winter as well. By sealing any gaps where hot air can move through freely, you don’t have to rely quite as much on your home’s climate control appliances. Take the time to check around windows, doors, vents, and even electrical outlets for any drafts, and apply weatherstripping or caulking where appropriate for an inexpensive solution. In the long term, you might want to keep a closer eye on windows that have problems with air gaps, as it may not be too long before they need to be replaced.
Create Natural Shade With Your Landscaping
Although many homeowners don’t consider it as one of their first options, strategic landscaping can reduce how much work you have to do on your interior. You can dramatically lower indoor temperatures by planting trees, shrubs, or climbing vines near windows and walls that can reduce the reach and impact of direct sunlight. Of course, this does mean that your home is going to be a little shadier in general, so you need to consider where and when natural lighting is more preferable than keeping the room cool. Deciduous trees are especially effective because they offer shade in summer while allowing sunlight through in winter.
Install A Smart Thermostat
While it might be directly connected to your AC and your heating, a good smart thermostat is going to help you use it a lot less than you need to. It can allow you to regulate indoor temperatures much more efficiently without having to manually meddle with it all the time. By either programming it directly or allowing it to leran your habit, these can adjust cooling based on your schedule, making sure that they aren’t wasting energy when no-one is home, and can respond to temperature shifts in the air, making sure that you’re keeping the home cool when it needs it, but not running the AC any longer than you need to. Many even provide information on how much energy you’re using so that you can adjust your habits over time.
Improve Ventilation And Airflow
How effectively the air is able to flow through the home can make a big difference in how quickly it heats up in the spring and summer, as well as how quickly you can cool it down. You can improve airflow with ceiling fans, portable fans, and by making sure that rooms have cross-ventilation to circulate air and push out trapped heat. While you might be tempted to keep your windows closed all day to prevent heat transfer from the outside, opening them in the early morning and late evening allows cooler air to enter. If you’re using fans, position them strategically, such as placing one near a window to draw in cooler air.
Keep The Attic Cool, Too
One of the often overlooked spots is the attic, where heat can accumulate over time. If this heat doesn’t have somewhere to go, it will radiate down into your living spaces instead. As such, investing in a solar attic fan installation can help remove this trapped heat. Warmth moves upwards, as many of us learned in school, and giving it a place to escape makes sure that it doesn’t build up in the attic. Choosing solar-powered options allows you to keep the home cool without having to rely on electricity as much, especially during the summer when they’re likely to get a lot more direct sunlight to power them. Proper attic ventilation also prevents moisture buildup, which can lead to mold or structural issues over time.
Block Heat With Blackout Blinds Or Curtains
Your windows are one of the biggest sources of heat gain in the home. While planting the right greenery outdoors can make a difference, you have a lot more control with fixtures that are designed to fully control how much light gets into the home. Installing blackout curtains, thermal drapes or reflective blinds can significantly reduce how much heat gets into your home, especially during those peak sunlight hours. These barriers prevent sunlight from heating up interior surfaces like floors and furniture, which can make a space feel even hotter than it is. If you can only install them in certain parts of the home, then you should opt for the south- and west-facing windows.
Mind The Heat From Your Electrics
Electrical and lighting appliances throughout the home can contribute to the heat of the home more than you might think. This is especially true of big appliances like ovens and stovetops, but all electronics generate warmth while they’re running, and this warmth is naturally going to contribute to the temperature of the household across the board. Try cooking during the cooler parts of the day or use alternatives like microwaves or, better yet, outdoor grills a little more often during the summer. Unplug devices when not in use, as many continue to emit heat even in standby mode. Running dishwashers and laundry machines at night can also help minimize daytime heat buildup.
Running the AC once in a while is no big deal, but with the tips above, you can make sure that you don’t become over reliant on it. A little investment now can make for big savings down the line.
