If you haven’t yet heard and felt it, we’re having one of the hottest summer seasons by far – and this is only supposed to be the tip of the iceberg! If you’re wondering how you and your loved ones can be comfortable and keep the costs down, you’re not alone. A lot of us rely on our air conditioners once the summer starts, and this could be a drain on your expenses. But did you know that there are other ways you can keep yourself and your home cool in the summer – even if your AC system is running, you can at least try to keep it down and augment it with a few tricks. Here, then, is a list of easy ways to keep your home cool in the summer – and save on your utility bills, too!
Set up a ceiling fan in every room
Granted, it can be an expense to set up a ceiling fan in every room in your home – but if you have the budget, it’s totally worth it. An alternative would be to set up ceiling fans in the rooms that are often highly used, such as the living room and kitchen. The beauty of ceiling fans is that the moving air makes you feel extra cool. You can even use it in conjunction with your air conditioning system to move cool air around, as HVAC Aurora IL providers like McNally recommend. Remember to run your fans on counter-clockwise mode to draw cool air upwards. You can also run the exhaust fans in your bathrooms so it can help warm air escape and replace it with cool air.
Invest in a programmable thermostat
If you haven’t heard of it before, it’s high time you benefitted from a programmable thermostat. When you install a programmable thermostat in your home, it can help keep the temperature indoors cool while also helping you with energy costs. And what’s more, if you’re not home and will only be home at the end of the day, you can program your thermostat a few minutes before you arrive so you can be comfortably cozy as soon as you walk in.
Apply a special film to your windows
Another way to make your home feel cooler in the summer – without spending an exorbitant amount on air conditioning – is to apply a special heat-decreasing film to your windows. This film is reflective so that it can deflect the light coming in, and you can find it in most hardware stores. A great thing about the film is that it is also effective in the winter, as it keeps the warm air indoors – it’s a win-win situation whatever the temperature is outdoors.
Plan barbecues more often!
Now, this is one tip we can all get behind – and the fact is, the summer is excellent for it! So, when it’s too hot, why not set up your grill and barbecue whatever you fancy? Sometimes, especially in summer, using your oven can make the kitchen (and the rest of the home) unbearably hot, so why not try cooking on the grill instead? You can even experiment and try to grill everything from meats to casseroles. By doing this, you are not only giving your family the best meal ever – they can relax after the meal in the cool indoors.
