During the hotter summer months, it can feel uncomfortable in the home. The best way to stay cool is to invest in a ductless AC mini-split or window units in smaller homes and a central HVAC system for larger residences. But, there are other ways to improve your indoor comfort levels in the meantime. In this article, we will look at five tips to help you stay cool at home without breaking the bank.

1.  Limit Daytime Appliance Use

Many of the household appliances that we rely on generate a significant amount of heat. So, if you’re using them during the day, you are making the home warmer and this makes it harder to stay cool. These appliances include the oven, range, dishwasher, washer, and more. If the use of these appliances is limited to night time hours, you can avoid a build up of unpleasant heat in your home. It’s also a great idea to unplug appliances that you’re not using because they may still produce heat.

2.  Use LED Light Bulbs

Traditional light bulbs can generate a significant amount of heat and this is compounded when multiple bulbs are in use. Making a switch to LED bulbs is a great idea, they consume 75% less energy to do the same job and they produce less heat. To take this idea to the next level, consider using dimmers or installing occupancy sensors. This will turn the LED bulbs off when you leave a room and back on again when you return.

3.  Use Fans

Using ceiling, standing and even portable desk fans can make a room feel much cooler. Even a home with an AC system will benefit from fan use to distribute the cooled air around the room. Creating a cross breeze with multiple fans running at slower speeds is an effective and low-cost way to feel more comfortable indoors.

4.  Add Shade

The heat of the sun can enter the home through the windows and this is especially true if those windows face south. When heat penetrates a room, it can linger for hours after the sun goes down in furniture and soft furnishings. When the indoor spaces are hotter, it is much harder to cool them down again. If you have an AC system, it will need to work harder for longer to overcome the accumulation of heat in your home. This can overwork the equipment leading to frequent repairs and higher energy bills. Add some shades, curtains, window tints, awnings outdoors, and even trees to provide shade.

5.  Find and Fix Drafts

The spaces around doors and windows are common areas where cooler indoor air can escape. An easy way to find drafts is to light a candle and move it around the door and window frames. If the flame flickers, you have an air leak to fix. Use weather stripping around doors and caulk around the windows and you can keep the cooler air indoors.

If you want to install an air conditioning system in your home, contact your local HVAC specialist.