Summer is just around the corner but, unfortunately, going to the beach to cool down is not an option for the foreseeable future. With everyone cooped up inside their homes, expect energy bills to skyrocket as more people rely on their airconditioning units to keep the temperatures down.
However, there are other ways to prevent your home from feeling like an oven. Here’s how:
Keep the Curtains Drawn During the Day
With the sun shining brightly in the sky, the first thing that you probably want to do is to open your windows. However, you might be letting unwanted heat inside your home.
Family Handyman says that up to 30% of the heat inside your house is from the windows. Significantly lower the indoor temperature by simply keeping the curtains drawn during the day.
Get contemporary drapes that not only looks luxurious but will also effectively shield your home from the blistering heat.
Ditch Incandescent Bulbs for Good
If you have been considering making the switch from incandescent bulbs to CFLs and LEDs, now is the right time. Incandescent bulbs use way more energy to illuminate the room and, therefore, emit heat.
Using CFLs and LEDs in every room can make a little bit of difference in terms of indoor room temperature. Plus, you will also save a bit of money because using either type of light bulb will lower your electricity bill.
Reprogram Your Ceiling Fans to Rotate Counter-Clockwise
You may not know this, but ceiling fans are meant to be adjusted every season. During winter, the blades should move clockwise and at a lower speed to equally distribute warmth throughout the room. For summer, you should reprogram your ceiling fan to rotate in a count-clockwise manner so you can get a refreshing breeze.
To change the setting of your ceiling fan from clockwise to counterclockwise, climb up a ladder or a chair and check the base. There should be a little button or switch that will make your ceiling fan run in the opposite direction.
Unplug Electrical Devices
Electrical devices emit a lot of heat when in use. However, they continue to use energy that they turn into heat when they are idle but remain plugged to a power outlet.
Make it a habit to not only switch off any gadget or appliance when you are not using them, but also unplug electrical devices. You may also get an energy-saving power switch that promises to draw zero energy even when it remains plugged in.
Cook Outside
Your stove and oven give off heat when you cook inside your kitchen. This summer, take advantage of the clear skies and have a barbecue party in your backyard. Not only does it give you an opportunity to use your outside furniture and hangout with your family under the sun, but it will also prevent your kitchen from feeling as hot as an oven.
Decorate Your Home with Plants
Plants in and around your house offer relief from hot summer days. Vegetation lower surface and air temperature through a process called evapotranspiration. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), evapotranspiration and shading can reduce the temperature by 2-9 degrees Fahrenheit.
Leaves also absorb and reflect sunshine so it reduces the amount of heat that comes in even when your windows are wide-open. Moreover, plants improve the quality of the air you breathe in.
Having plants indoors and outdoors make your home significantly better. Still, the most important trick is to stay hydrated. Drink eight glasses of water a day as recommended by health experts.
