Tips to Keep Your Cool Home During the Peak Heat of the Summer

Posted: July 28, 2023 3:05 pm

It has been the hottest week of the summer thus far for millions of Americans. Extreme heat has impacted almost every corner of the country, stretching from the Desert Southwest and up through the Midwest and into the Northeast.

While many homes in this region have air conditioning, not all families are as fortunate. Or maybe you live in an area where central air conditioning is not typically needed but you are experiencing a rare heat wave? Or perhaps your community is at risk of experiencing rolling blackouts because of strain on the area energy grips?

There may be no escaping the heat completely if your home is not air conditioned or if you are not able to use it. However, there are steps that you can take to provide a degree of cooling to a house. Here are a few tips.

Ensure the Home is Properly Insulated

One of the best ways to provide a long-lasting cooling barrier for your home is to ensure that it is properly insulated. Start with sealing all of the cracks around the doors and windows so that you can trap the cool air inside.

Installing storm doors and windows will add another barrier of insulation between your cool home and the increasing temperatures outside.

A home’s attic is often overlooked when insulating a home. This part of the house takes the brunt of the searing sun during the summer. You will cool the entire house down if you install additional insulation in the attic to mitigate the heating effect.

Seal Off Empty Rooms

Determine if there are any rooms in your home that are not going to be used in the near future and seal these areas off from the rest of the house. It is easier to manage keeping a smaller space cool if you are intentional about turning off fans in any unused rooms and keeping the doors shut.

Running fans in rooms that are not in use is also a waste of energy, a resource that is crucial during times of extreme heat.

Lean on the Use of Window Coverings

In addition to proper insulation, you can keep your home at a lower temperature if you lean on window coverings to their full ability. The best choices are blackout drapes. A covering with white reflective material that faces the window will send the heat back toward the outside of the house.

You need to be particularly diligent about windows that face the west or the south as these see the most direct sunlight during the course of a day.

Leverage the cooler temperatures in the overnight hours by opening the windows and drapes when the readings outside are cooler than your home. Opening windows opposite of each other will encourage a crossflow of air. You can then shut the windows and close the drapes or coverings once the mercury starts to heat up later in the morning, trapping the cooler air inside during the peak afternoon heating hours.

Use Energy-Efficient Lightbulbs

It may seem like a small change but switching to energy-efficient lightbulbs can reduce the heat that circulates through your home. The latest technology in lightning solutions are so energy efficient that they do not put out heat.

For instance, try using an LED bulb over a traditional lightbulb. CFL bulbs are another good choice if you are aiming to reduce wasteful heat in the home.

Be Judicious With Kitchen Use

One of the biggest heat sources in your home is the oven. The hot summer season is a great time to ditch the oven and rely on other methods to prepare meals. Embrace the warm temperatures and use your outdoor grill. This will prevent you from unnecessarily heating your home.

As an alternative to an outdoor grill, you may want to consider using a slow cooker to prepare meals since this does not put off as much heat as an oven. Or simply go with meals that require no heat sources to prepare. Cold sandwiches and salads are always good ideas during the hot summer months.

Choose Cooling Bedding

Staying cool and comfortable at night is a significant challenge when the temperature soars. The bedding you choose can go a long way in helping to keep you comfortable enough to sleep well at night. The best choices are natural fibers, including cotton, bamboo, and linen.

A bed sheet with a medium thread count of 200 to 400 will yield the best cooling effect. While higher thread count sheets feel great during the winter, this choice is not as effective when it comes to wicking away moisture.

Plant Outdoor Trees and Bushes Strategically

You can also be smart about where you plant trees and bushes on your property. Planting deciduous trees along the east and west side of your property will shade the home from the sun as it beats down.

There is no working against the whims of Mother Nature. However, being smart about how you cool your home can have a positive impact on your comfort in the coming weeks.

Did you find this content useful? Feel free to bookmark or to post to your timeline for reference later.

Recent Posts