Once the summer months kick in, we often think of the season as a great time for family getaways and vacays. But that may need to be put on hold for now. That is until the pandemic is out of the way.
However, staying indoors and keeping ourselves comfortable can take a toll on our AC and electric bills. There are ways to beat the summer heat, though, even while staying at home without using the AC too much.
Make use of the architectural design of your home. Hot air tends to rise. To help make your home cooler during summertime, you should pull the heat up before pulling it out. Ensure that you have proper ventilation in place for heat and that sticky feeling to go away quickly. Try a cross breeze approach by placing fans on opposite windows, with one of the fans facing out the window.
If your home has a big porch that wraps around the house with plants, you may notice that it's cooler than other homes. This is because the actual porch area and the plants are good at absorbing the heat even before it gets inside the home. Also, try to clear blocked vents or spaces in your attic that may prevent air from circulating properly.
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Keep out sunlight. Keep sunlight out as much as possible to reduce warmth. You can make use of shades or blackout curtains. If you have windows that are not directly facing the sun, you may instead open the curtains on those windows so you will still have ample light in your room.
If you don't want to block off the sunlight completely, you can also leave the room lit without too much brightness. Consider using window tints and solar screens if you wish to have some direct sunlight. They are good at letting in some of the sun's rays and deflecting the bad ones.
Try using a dehumidifier. When humidity starts to take control of your home, it's time to activate the dehumidifier. These can come in various sizes and types.
If you notice, some days using your AC unit alone is not enough to get rid of extreme humidity. When days like these set in, you can try out a dehumidifier to make staying at home a lot bearable.
Use a fan. Fans help air to circulate better and clear away our body's evaporated perspiration. Placing fans in strategic places can help keep you beat the summer heat. If you have an open window, you may place a fan in that location. Make sure that the fan is facing outwards to suck the hot air out of the room.
Limit the source of heat. Appliances contribute to heat in your home. On a scorching day, instead of using the hot oven, you can cook using smaller appliances, such as a microwave, that don't generate too much heat. Or better yet, eat meals that don't require cooking.
There are other appliances you can turn off when not in use or avoid using to help cool down the room. This includes dishwasher, TV, blow dryer, computer, among others.
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