When a heat wave hits, small changes around your home can make a big difference. Try these tips to stay cooler indoors without overworking your A/C and to help protect your home from heat-related damage.
Use a dehumidifier
A dehumidifier doesn’t lower temperature directly but removes moisture from the air, creating a cooler, more comfortable space and helping prevent mold, mildew, and wood warping caused by humidity.
Replace your light bulbs
Incandescent light bulbs are surprisingly inefficient—up to 90–95 per cent of the energy they use is released as heat rather than light. Replacing standard incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient CFL or LED bulbs not only lowers your power bill but also keeps your house cooler.
That’s because these types of bulbs produce much less heat than standard bulbs while still creating the same amount of light. A typical 100-watt bulb can raise the room temperature by 11 degrees per hour.
Unplug your appliances
Every outlet, when it has an appliance plugged into it, will emit a small amount of heat. This may seem trivial, but when you’re fighting to keep your house cool, every degree counts.
Cut back on cooking indoors
Heat from cooking will add to the temperature in the house. If you’re struggling with keeping a house cool in extreme heat, consider cooking outside or visiting an air-conditioned restaurant.
Block out the sun
To cool down your house during a heat wave, keep the blinds or shades closed from late morning to early evening. Tinted window film or blackout shades can also help keep your house 10-15 degrees cooler.
Set your ceiling fan to run counter-clockwise
A ceiling fan can help keep your house cool. You want your ceiling fan to be blowing downwards to cool the room. Every fan has a directional switch, so be sure yours is set to run counter-clockwise during the summer months.
Use a personal fan
If you are sitting in a warm room you can use a personal fan to circulate the air around you and cool off. If the outside temperature is cooler than inside, open the window and place the fan directly in front of it to pull that cooler air in from the outside.
Install an air conditioner with a programmable thermostat
Installing a whole-house, window, or room air conditioner with a programmable thermostat will help cool a hot room fast.
You can save money when you’re not home by keeping the house a little warmer and then programming the A/C to turn on right before coming home from work. It keeps you comfortable while you’re there and prevents your home from heating up too much while you’re gone.
Keep gutters and drains clear
Proper water drainage is essential for protecting your home, especially after heat waves when sudden storms can occur. Efficient drainage directs rainwater away from your foundation, preventing water buildup that can lead to cracks, erosion, and structural damage.
Cool air can rapidly escape through gaps in doors, meaning that even if your fans are on, you might not be feeling the benefit. Picture:WWW.APARTMENTTHERAPY.COM
If you’re struggling with keeping a house cool in extreme heat, consider cooking outside or visiting an air-conditioned restaurant. Picture: WWW.APARTMENTTHERAPY.COM
To cool down your house during a heat wave, keep the blinds or shades closed from late morning to early evening. Picture:WWW.APARTMENTTHERAPY.COM
If you are sitting in a warm room you can use a personal fan to circulate the air around you and cool off.
Picture:WWW.APARTMENTTHERAPY.COM
