Every summer, people struggle to keep themselves cool amid the brutal summer heat. The current state of the environment isn’t helping at all. This was highlighted by the summer of 2020, which was considered among the hottest in history.
But you can still ward off the heat by doing the following things:
Close the Blinds or Curtains
One thing that increases the temperature inside the house is the heat from the sun. To counter this, you should prevent the sunlight from entering the house. And the best way to do this is to close the blinds or curtains. You can do this when the sunlight enters the house. You can open it once the sunlight doesn’t enter directly into the house.
Use Heat-reducing Films
Another way to keep the sun from heating the home’s interior is to install heat-reducing films on the windows. Aside from keeping the heat out, it also blocks harmful ultraviolet rays and glare. The ultraviolet rays can also cause the color to fade on furniture, carpeting, and artwork.
These films normally have three layers, including the adhesive layer, the polyester film layer, and the scratch-resistant coating. You have several options for the film, including UV blockers and thicker films for added security.
Install Shutters and Awnings
Aside from protecting the house from the inside, you can also install shutters and awnings on the house’s exterior. They give you additional protection from the sun. While awnings are the most effective devices to prevent sunlight from entering the house, they are also quite expensive. But they can reduce heat by up to 75 percent, especially if installed on windows facing the west and south.
Plant Foliage and Trees
A natural way to keep the sunlight out is using trees and foliage. While they are great to keep your home cool, it will take a couple of years before they can work. They can protect the home by slowing down heat transfer into the house. Trees also give you the shade you need to stop sunlight from entering your windows. Additionally, trees also regulate air flowing around the house and bring in cool air if you open your windows.
Maintain the AC
This is probably the most practical way to ensure you remain cool during the summer. You should make sure your air conditioning unit is functioning properly. When it conks out, you should get in touch with a reliable HVAC company to fix it as soon as possible.
Additionally, you should make sure it’s clean to ensure it blows cold air inside the home. This means you should replace the filters when necessary, vacuum the fins, and remove any debris covering the condenser unit outside.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
Installing a programmable thermostat is another good idea to keep your home cool during the summer. Aside from keeping it cool, you also get to save money. You can use an app on your phone to control the thermostat even if you’re not inside the house.
You can program it to adjust the temperature when you’re on your way home. This allows you to ensure the house is cool when you go inside. The thermostat ensures energy-efficiency when using your AC even if you aren’t doing anything.
Circulate the Air with Fans
Using fans inside the room doesn’t cool it down. Fans push warm air out of the room. They create a wind-chill effect that makes the room cooler. The air movement it creates inside the room allows you to keep a room cool without lowering the thermostat’s temperature.
You have several options when it comes to the fans to use. Ceiling fans can blow warm air to the top of the room to cool it down. Floor fans can be used to bring cool air into a room. On the other hand, box fans can be positioned near windows to push warm air outside the room.
Unplug Unused Appliances
Another thing you can do is to unplug any unused appliances inside the house. When these appliances use energy, they produce heat. They continue to use energy when they remain plugged even if they aren’t used. So, it’s advisable to unplug any unused appliances when you’re not using them.
Open the Windows
If the sunlight isn’t going through the window directly, you can open it to allow air to flow inside the house. This is a method of natural ventilation where wind enters one window and exits through another window. Cooling the home using this method is best for places where the night is cool, and breezes are regular.
While the summer heat can be quite unbearable, you can keep your house cool using the tips mentioned above.
