Tips on How to Keep Your House Cool Without Air Conditioning
July 10, 2018
A lot of families on the East Coast live without air conditioning units. Most people know to use fans, but that doesn’t always cut it during the hottest part of summer.
Here are some helpful suggestions to some of the questions on how to keep your home and yourself cool without an air conditioner!
1. What Can I Put On My Windows to Keep the Heat Out?
Most places cool down at night, so it’s a great idea to open the windows once the sun goes down.
A lot of heat comes through your windows during the day. The best way to prevent this is by closing your blinds. Not only does this block out unnecessary light, but it can also lower the midday temperature of your home. Choose drapes that have a white side that faces the window to reflect the sun back. This is most important for the south- and west-facing windows, as they generally receive more direct sunlight.
2. Is There a Better Time of Day to Use My Appliances?
Your appliances give off a lot of heat, so it’s recommended you save chores that require them for the cooler night hours. Your laundry machine and dishwasher use heated water, while the dryer uses heated air.
Cooking creates additional heat as well. Skip the oven and stovetop and use the grill instead, keeping the extra heated air outside. You can grill many foods that you’d normally make on the stovetop or in the oven. If you must use the stove, keep the fan on – it’ll recirculate the air.
Consider unplugging all unnecessary appliances as well. They create unnecessary heat and drain energy.
3. Is There a Way to Use the House Exterior to Keep My Home Cooler?
Plant trees to create more shade on and around your home. Use vines or tall shrubbery against the exterior of your home to cool it down.
Add awnings or shutters on the exterior of your windows for additional protection from the sun. These have the biggest positive impact on heat reduction when placed on south- and west-facing windows.
4. What Are Some Other Tips That Will Help?
Free-flowing air is beneficial if your goal is to cool the entire home. Keep doors open so air can be pulled from one end of the home to the other.Most heating units allow you to use the fan that blows hot air in winter year-round. Running the fan without the heat will help circulate air throughout your home during the summer. Flowing air makes you feel cooler and can prevent stagnation.
If you have an A/C unit, be sure to change the filter regularly. Dirty filters reduce air quality and the efficiency of airflow, which will negatively affect cooling performance.
Keep the bathroom exhaust fan on longer. This will help pull all the hot air out from your shower and prevent that heat from leaking into the surrounding parts of the home.
Utilize your ceiling fans the right way by switching the way the fan rotates to counterclockwise during the summer months. This will create more circulation by forcing the air down.
Use natural light, since light bulbs can generate a lot of unnecessary heat. If you must use additional lighting, use LED or energy-efficient light bulbs. This decreases the amount of heat emitted.
5. How to Keep Yourself Cool When the Heat Won’t Quit!
You’ve likely experienced the struggle of trying to fall asleep in a hot room on a stifling summer night. If it’s an option, sleep on the lowest floor because heat rises. The ground floor or basement is typically going to be the coolest. Use cotton bed sheets, as they are light and have a reputation for being more breathable than other bedding fabrics.
Removing moisture from the air will help you cool down faster. An easy way to reduce humidity is by wearing cotton or other natural fabrics or using a dehumidifier.
Let Bogue Providing the Cooling You Need to Enjoy a Comfortable Summer at Home
If you don’t have an A/C system and want one, Bogue can help you find the best, most affordable, energy-efficient solution for your home. We have been the go-to local comfort professionals for more than 40 years thanks to our reputation for providing reliable customer service and quality services and products. Give us a call today at (757) 419-2734 or schedule an appointment for your air conditioning installation, maintenance or repair service.