Keep your house cool in the summer: 22 tips and tricks (2023)

If you're looking for solutions to keep your home cool in the summer without breaking the bank, you've come to the right place!

Summer really is the best season! Beaches, watermelon sodas, suntan lotions, barbecues and lunchtime dips in the pool are just a few of the many things you can look forward to in summer.

Unfortunately, many of these joys are often overshadowed by scorching heat and unbearable humidity.

If you also want to know how to stay cool in the summer, don't worry!

In this article, we've compiled 22 tips and tricks to not only keep your home cool and cozy in the summer, but also toSave hundreds of energy costs. Whether you're looking for ways to hack your air conditioner to cool it better or you need quick AC cooling fixes, we've got you covered!

How to keep the house cool in summer

Air conditioners are the ideal solution for keeping your home cool on hot, muggy summer days. But during yourair conditionerwill save your summer, you might need a little extra help sometimes. Here are the best ways to supplement your air conditioner for even better cooling:

1. Keep away from sunlight

As tempting as it may be to let natural light brighten your space, it's important to remember that light is heat.

The more sunlight that enters your home, the hotter it will feel and the harder your air conditioner will have to work. Therefore, to maintain a bearable temperature in your home, keep the blinds closed, especially those on the west and north windows. Better yet, opt for blackout curtains that completely block out heat and keep your home cool all summer long.

2. Hack your Windows

About 76% of the light that falls on the windows enters the house and is converted into heat. Reflective films can block up to78% heat from the sun and 99% harmful UV rays. While too much sunlight just makes your home hotter, UV rays are harmful to your health and your furniture. so not only thatwindow filmssummer essentials, but they're also crucial for the safety of your skin and your facility.

Window film is an easy DIY project and there are many options to choose from depending on your needs.

3. Install an awning

Awnings are the perfect alternative to trees. They are quite useful when you don't have room for trees or don't want to wait long enough for a tree to grow. Awnings are usually placed over your windows and protect your home from sunlight. This reduces the amount of light your home absorbs, keeping it cool in the summer. AccordingUS Department of EnergyWindow awnings can reduce up to 65-77% of solar heat gain.

4. Create a nice roof

Cool roofs reflect sunlight and heat, keeping your home cool in the summer. These roofs can have reflective shingles or shingles, reflective paint or a sheet roofing. Cool ceilings can be installed in almost any type of building and are particularly useful for spaces without air conditioning, such as bathrooms. for example, garages.

Here are some more options forgarage refrigeration.

5. Close the doors

To keep fresh air where you need it most, close doors to unused spaces. Prevent cold air from escaping into parts of the house where you don't need it. It also reduces the effort your air conditioner has to put in to cool larger areas.

Also seal any openings or cracks around windows and doors, as a lot of cold air tends to escape through these. Seal and use gaps around doors and windowsshot excluderto ensure that cold air does not escape.

6. Change your bed sheets

This tip may seem small, but it makes a big difference in the temperature of your home. Choose lighter fabrics, preferably in light colors like white, as they reflect light and heat and help cool the house in summer. The sheet material is also important, as lightweight fabrics breathe more easily than heavier ones. Since changing your sheets every now and then is a great way to freshen up your home, it's a worthwhile investment.

7. Turn off devices

You'd be surprised at how much heat is generated by appliances in your home. In addition to turning them off when not in use, avoid using them whenever possible. For example, hang your clothes out to dry instead of using the dryer and wash dishes by hand. Also, schedule your tasks and only use appliances like irons after the sun goes down. Limiting device usage will not only keep your home cool in the summer, but also reduce your electricity costs.

8. Avoid using oven or stove

As President Truman said, "If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen!"

Cooking generates excess heat and can significantly raise the temperature in your home. Also, nobody wants to be in the hottest part of their house in this weather. Instead, opt for foods that don't require cooking, such as salads or sandwiches. If you must cook, try the outdoor grill. Not only does this keep your house cool, it also gives you a great excuse to get those extra miles out of your grill!

9. Upgrade your bulbs

If you've been looking for a way to replace your traditional incandescent bulbs with LEDs, now is the perfect time. Incandescent lamps emit90%its energy in the form of heat. On the other hand, LED bulbs generate less heat and save more electricity.

10. Get a smart cooling solution

The only thing that can increase your home's cooling in the summer is if your air conditioner has a brain of its own. While you can't design your air conditioner to think for yourself, invest in one.smart ac controlleror a smart thermostat is the next best thing.

These devices can help you set cooling times throughout the week and also turn on the air conditioning when you enter the vicinity of your home. In addition tonumerous smart features and benefits, they also help save up to 25% of energy.

11. Clean your AC filters regularly

Is that youThe air conditioning doesn't work that well., it may be time to change the air filters. A clogged or dirty air filter makes your air conditioner work harder and affects yourindoor air quality. This not only causes allergies and inefficient heating, but also increases electricity bills. Therefore, you need to clean yours.filtro de air acevery two weeks and, as a general rule, it renews every four months.

12. Use ceiling fans correctly

Ceiling fans alone won't do much to lower the temperature.In a room. However, in combination with an air conditioner, fans can be extremely useful. First, make sure the fan rotates counterclockwise during the summer. As you turn in that direction, the fans push cooler air toward you, keeping your home cooler on the hottest of days.

13. Isolation is key

O isolamento é frequentemente associado à retenção de calor em residências. Da mesma forma, eles mantêm o calor fora e o ar frio dentro.Add insulation to your atticand the walls significantly improve the living climate even in the hottest months. It also saves on cooling and heating costs. Insulation is also a pretty cheap and easy solution, and you can also try DIY insulation to save more.

14. Install an attic fan

Attics can get very hot in the summer, sometimes reaching 150 degrees. Most likely, all this heat spreads throughout the house, raising the overall temperature. In addition to insulating your attic, you can also invest in an attic fan or attic fan. These fans pull hot air out of your attic and pull in cool air from outside. As a result, your attic stays relatively cool, and this can help your air conditioner keep your home cool in the summer.

Read this article to learn more about it.attic cooling.

15. Sharpen your green thumb

It's no secret that plants play an important role in keeping the temperature of the Earth's atmosphere low. They can also have a similar, albeit much less drastic, impact on your home's temperature. As temperatures rise, plants release water from their leaves. This process is transpiration, and it helps plants cool themselves and the environment. Of course, not all houseplants affect the temperature in your home, so choosing them is important.Plants that refresh your home. also someair purifying houseplantsthey also help improve indoor air quality by removing harmful pollutants.

16. Plant foliage to keep your home cool in the summer

Trees and leaves act as natural barriers to sunlight, greatly enhancing the landscape. While it may take a few seasons before you can reap the benefits, it will be worth it. You can choose fast-growing trees such as sycamore, maple or poplar. Also opt for deciduous trees that lose their leaves in winter. This way, your house will have shade in the summer, but plenty of sun in the winter.

How to keep the house cool in summer without air conditioning?

As effective as air conditioning is at keeping our homes cool, it is not always available. Here are some tips on how to keep your home cool without air conditioning.

17. Freeze your fan

While nothing can match the cooling performance of an air conditioner, this fan and ice combo comes pretty close. To set it up, strategically place a bowl or ice chest on the floor in front of a non-swinging fan. Then turn on the fan in the area you want to cool, sit back and enjoy the cool breeze your DIY AC setup creates! A cheap and smart trick to keep your home cool all summer long!

18. Invest in a dehumidifier

Dry heat is a nightmare, and the only thing worse is humid heat. ThisPerfect humidity in summerIt should be between 40% and 50%.dehumidifierEliminate excess moisture from the air in your home and make it more comfortable even in high temperatures.

Most dehumidifiers are equipped with sensors that shut off the unit when it runs out of air.ideal humidityHe is satisfied. Also, use the water collected from your dehumidifier to water your plants for added conservation.

19. Install a fan throughout the house

Whole house fans are quite similar to attic fans. However, neither is a substitute for the other, asGo to different areas of the house.. Whole house fans are usually installed in the attic. They work by drawing warm air from your home into the attic, creating a negative pressure that triggers cool air from outside. These fans not only keep your home cool, but also help get rid of it.indoor air pollutants, improving the air quality in your home.

20. Use exhaust fans

Exhaust fans are quite useful, especially if you want tofreshen up a windowless room. Installing exhaust fans in your home will help to expel hot air inside your home and make room for fresh air outside. However, this method only works best when the indoor temperature is higher than the outdoor temperature.

21. Keep doors and windows open

Creating a cross breeze will improveventilationand keep your home cool in summer without air conditioning. At night, open windows on opposite sides of your home to let in a cool breeze. Also, leave doors ajar in your home to maximize outside airflow. Finally, if you have box fans, place them in windows to act as exhaust fans.

22.Install cooling curtains

This is a bit of an old hack, but it's pretty effective. First, spray your curtains or sheets with cold water and hang it over your curtains. So, as the breeze enters your home, it blows through the water, evaporating it and in turn cooling your home. You can also soak the hem of your curtains in a bucket of water. This way, you don't have to spray the curtains with water.

Keeping the house cool in the summer is vital for you and your family.Well-being and comfort of pets.. But while air conditioners are the ideal solution for those hot summer days, they can sometimes need a little extra help. Simple upgrades to your home, like things like insulation and changing light bulbs, can greatly improve the temperature in your home. There are many options for that too.Stay cool in summer without air conditioning. Although they don't make your home as comfortable as air conditioners, they are still quite sophisticated.