Summer is here and the temperature is climbing — and so are your energy bills. How can you beat the heat without relying so much on your AC? Here are a few natural cooling methods you can use to keep your house comfortable.
- Close the curtains. Especially if you have south-facing windows which get direct sunlight, closing your curtains, blinds, or drapes during the day will help limit the amount of sun and heat that enter your home.
- Open the windows. In the evening, once the sun goes down and the weather gets cooler, opening the windows will allow the warm air from your home to flow out and the cool outdoor air to flow in. Even if the night isn’t very cool, opening the windows improve ventilation, which is important for natural cooling. Let the cool air in at night, then close the windows and blinds first thing in the morning to keep that cool air inside all day.
- Get houseplants. Houseplants can brighten up your decor, improve your indoor air quality, reduce your carbon footprint, and even improve your mood. Some houseplants can also release moisture into the air, making your home cooler. Try snake plants, rubber plants, or Chinese evergreens to improve humidity and help with the natural cooling of your house.
- Cook outdoors. One of the reasons why barbecue is so popular during the summer is that using your stove and oven only adds to the heat. If you can cook outside sometimes, it will help keep heat from building up in your home. The rest of the time, you should still try to minimize your stove and oven use to help you stay cool.
- Use colors and fabrics. If you’re redecorating your home, choose cotton or linen upholstery. They breathe better than, say, leather or silk, absorbing less heat and improving ventilation. Light colors also absorb less heat, so try painting your walls in white or yellow or bright pastels to keep cool.
For more tips on natural cooling and other ways to save energy this summer, contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services. We keep Dayton homes comfortable and efficient all year long.
