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While an air conditioner may be the most effective way to cool down your home, especially when it’s scorching hot, it could rack up your electric bill if you keep it on all the time.
Besides, one air conditioner unit may not be enough to cool down your whole house, depending on its size and the number of rooms. You may have an air conditioner installed while still keeping the temperatures low by inventing creative ways to keep the heat at bay within your home.
In the US, it has been reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that over 600 people die from heat-related ailments every year. The agency suggests that you seek comfort in places with air conditioning, such as libraries and shopping malls, when the temperature in your home exceeds 90 degrees.
At lesser extreme temperatures, when the heat still feels uncomfortable indoors, here are some of the most effective ways to make the temperature bearable:
Let the Wind Come In
Find ways to stimulate the airflow indoors, especially when your house has a cross breeze. Open your windows to the direction where the wind enters the house. This will result in a pressure current that will help in minimizing the heat inside.
You can also add a window fan to generate air when there is no air coming from the outside. You can also place the fan on the upwind side in an area of your house where there is no window.
Close the Windows
Feel the temperature of the air coming from outside. If it is hot or warmer than the temperature indoors, it will be counterproductive to leave the windows open. In this case, it is better to shut the windows, especially during the hottest parts of the day.
Turn on an electric fan instead to circulate the air indoors. You can open the windows as nighttime nears or you feel like the temperatures outside are getting lower.
Install Window Films
These films are a thin laminate you can install on your windows on your own. You can choose to place the laminate outside or inside the glass’s surface. They can reduce infrared heat up to 98 percent compared to windows without these films.
As a result, you will get a good cut on your energy cost and lessen the imbalance of indoor temperature. Window films can also protect your privacy while allowing you to see the light still and view outdoors. You can watch tutorials on how to set them up, but you can always opt to get them installed by a professional for faster and more efficient output.
Cover Your Windows
Aside from closing your windows during the hottest parts of the day, it is also advisable to get them covered. This is especially needed in windows exposed to direct sunlight, allowing a considerable amount of heat inside. Check the options and look for the energy-efficient kinds.
For example, you can use curtains or blackout shades to control how much heat and light gets inside your house. You can also use cellular shades that serve as a barrier to the heat. It helps keep the cool air indoors and prevents the warm air from going inside and circulating in the house.
Consider Installing a Whole-house Fan
A whole-house fan is a ceiling-mounted fan, also referred to as an attic fan. You can have whole-house fans installed in your home even with a centralized AC. The fans consume lower electricity than AC, and it will help lower your bills come the shoulder seasons.
Moreover, whole-house fans will pull in the cooler air from the doors and windows as they push out the hot air through the attic vents. Having them set up and running will give a nice breeze to your indoor air and help regulate the temperature.
Put the Fans in the Right Positions
Electric fans work by circulating the air in the space they can reach. It speeds up the evaporation process, which will make you feel cooler as your body sweats to transfer heat. Fans do not exactly cool the air, so you have to place them in positions where they can efficiently circulate the air inside.
A good position, for example, is where it can pull cooler air inside and circulate it in the warmer spaces. You can also place it where there is less dense cooler air, in a corner and lowered to the floor, so it can easily circulate the air around the space.
Make a DIY Cold Air
When the air gets totally hot to the point that even an AC is not enough to cool the whole house down, you can make the air colder by placing ice into a bowl. Put the bowl in front of a fan so that the air coming from the fan will become misty and chilly.
This is similar to the concept of air coolers. You will fill its tank with cold water to emit cold and misty air. The bowl of ice concept is a cheaper option but works the same. You only need to ensure the safety of the bowl and refill the ice whenever needed.
Use Compact Fluorescent Lamps
These lamps consume less electricity and can also help make your home cooler. Incandescent bulbs emit around 90 percent of energy waste from the heat they produce. So if you are still using them, it’s time to make the switch from incandescent bulbs to fluorescent lamps.
Final Words
Aside from learning what to buy and install to make your home cooler, it would help if you also placed importance on keeping your appliances in top shape all the time. This way, you are assured that they will provide the coldness you are aiming for without resulting in higher electricity consumption.
Click here to learn more about HVAC installation, repairs, and maintenance. Ensure that you only get in touch with reputable HVAC companies, like Direct Air, to get the service that will last a long time.
