When it’s hot out, it might seem like cranking up the AC is your only option. But depending on your AC is one of the more expensive options to staying cool during the hot summer months. Thankfully, there are a variety of steps you can take at home to keep the temperature down. In this post, we’ll look five ways you can keep your house cool on a budget.
Close Your Blinds
When the sun is blazing in through the windows, around 76% of that energy enters your home to become heat. It’s therefore not surprising that closing your blinds or curtains can significantly cool a room during daylight hours. Of course, it’s nice to allow some light into a room when it’s nice outside, but as soon as the sun is shining directly through a window, it might be time to close the blinds and keep the heat exchange at a minimum. You can also buy heat reducing window films that help to keep out UV rays and heat transference.
Utilize Fans
Standalone or ceiling fans are far more energy efficient than air conditioning units. There are a variety of affordable options you can choose from when it comes to keeping your house cool. For example, it only costs on average around $3.70 per month to run a high-efficiency ceiling fan for 12 hours per day. Standalone fans are also fairly efficient and can be particularly useful when placed by a window at night. They will help circulate the cooler outside air through your room.
Cook Outdoors
When the weather is nice, there’s no better way to eat than from the outdoor grill. Not only is it the perfect way to entertain guests and enjoy summer, but it can also mean your house stays cooler. Running an oven at 400 degrees can soon make your kitchen unbearably hot if it’s already close to 100 outside. There are plenty of alternatives to using your stove or oven which can help keep the temperature at a bearable level.
Unplug Your Electronics
Devices such as PCs, laptops, TVs, games consoles, and other similar devices will all pump out heat when they’re turned on. Not only this, but they’ll keep your electricity meter ticking over even when on standby. Unplugging them when not in use can prevent them from kicking out residual heat and save you money at the same time. This is particularly relevant if you’re planning a trip away; each device may only use a small amount of energy, but it soon mounts up.
Change Your Bedsheets
Waking up during a hot summer’s night because you’re entangled in your overly warm bedsheets can be frustrating. Although fleecy blankets and flannel sheets are ideal for cooler weather, they can be unbearably hot when it’s warm out. Switching to lighter fabrics such as cotton can make a huge difference, without costing a fortune. Alternatively, try using just the sheets without a comforter or blanket.
Final Thoughts
Just because it’s hot outside doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot on running your AC continuously. These are but five simple changes you can make to reduce the temperature indoors or prevent it from getting even hotter. When combined, they can mean that you hardly have to use your air conditioner. What’s more, all of these tips can be implemented on a budget.