Summer is just around the corner. During warmer weeks or months, many households will crank up the air conditioning system to keep cool.
Not everyone, unfortunately, has this option. Some individuals live in a rental unit that doesn’t have an AC unit. Others don’t want to have their AC system turned on all the time, as this setup can make their energy bill shoot up.
Is cooling a house still possible without an air conditioner? Yes, you can take measures to cool down spaces in your home without the help of an AC unit.
Here are nine suggestions to keep your home at a comfortable temperature:
1- Make an Old-School, DIY Air Conditioner
If you don’t have an AC (or don’t want to use this appliance), you could make a DIY air conditioner using your refrigerator.
Simply put a shallow bowl or a pan full of ice in front of a fan. The breeze will pick up the cold water from the ice. This creates a cooling mist. If the temperatures are sweltering, you could eat delicious ice cream as you enjoy the cool mist from your DIY AC.
2- Use Fans the Right Way
Having a reliable electric fan or a nice bed fan isn’t enough. You need to use them the right way.
When using an electric fan, create a cross breeze to push hot air out and circulate cooler air. Locate the coolest area in your home. Then, angle the fan toward the hottest space of your house. This can help draw in cooler air from one part of the home and push the hotter air out.
If you have a bed fan, make sure you set up the appliance properly to enjoy soothing, cold air when you’re in bed.
Got a ceiling fan? Make sure that it’s running counterclockwise. During summer, set the appliance to rotate counterclockwise at a faster speed. The airflow of the fan will generate a wind-chill breeze effect that you and other members of your family feel cooler.
3- Install Blackout Curtains
The right window covering can make a major difference in the temperature of your home. Consider putting up blackout curtains in your windows. These curtains block sunlight to naturally insulate a room and reduce heat gain.
4- Install an Awning
An alternative to curtains and other window treatments is an awning. This roof-like cover shields your home from the rays of the sun. This will limit the amount of heat that your home absorbs.
5- Open Your Windows Strategically
You can create a cooling pressure current by opening your windows differently. Start by opening the top section of your windows on the downwind side of your home. Then, open the bottom section on the upwind side.
Next, face a box out one window. This will push the hot air out. After that, hang a wet sheet like a curtain right in front of a second open window. This will give your room a chill-infused breeze.
6- Use the Oven Less During Summer
Households use their ovens to whip up delicious meals for lunch and dinner. During summer, however, you may want to use this appliance less. Nothing heats a space in your home like a 400-degree oven.
If you want to cook food for yourself and your family, opt for outdoor grilling instead. You could also make seasonal summer dishes that do not require any heat.
If you absolutely have to use the oven, make sure that you open the windows. You could also do your cooking at night, specifically once the outdoor air cools down.
7- Do Your Household Chores at Night
Some household appliances, such as dishwashers and dryers, generate heat. If possible, don’t use them during the hottest times of the day. Keep your house a bit cooler by doing chores that create heat at night.
8- Manage the Humidity in Your Home
Summer humidity can make daytime heat feel a lot worse when you reside in a humid climate. If this is the case, invest in a dehumidifier. Although this appliance will not bring down the temperature of a room, it will help control the thick and sticky air that makes hot summer days uncomfortable.
9- Swap out the Incandescent Lights
The main problem with incandescent lighting fixtures is that they waste most of their energy in the heat they emit. If you still got these light bulbs, switch to better alternatives like compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). They generate less heat while also reducing your energy usage.
Staying cool without blasting the AC (or buying one) is possible. Take note of these nine tips to chill out without letting your energy bill soar.
