Each year parents find themselves looking for ways to beat the summer heat. During the year, when no one is home, many people turn up the thermostat. With kids home for the summer, many parents wonder how they can keep the house cool without adjusting the thermostat. Discover a few ways to cool down without cranking up the air conditioner.

Use Blinds and Curtains to Shade Your Interior Spaces

Window coverings are a great way to regulate the temperature inside your home. Use curtains and shades on windows to prevent the sun from heating your home, which can keep the temperature inside up to 20 degrees cooler.

If you can’t afford to cover all your windows, covering the north- and south-facing windows is most beneficial. You can also make curtains out of old sheets. If you like much natural light, blinds are a good option. Blinds let in some light while keeping out most of the sun’s heating rays.

Use Appliances at Night

All appliances create heat, but some create more heat than others. The washer, dryer, dishwasher, oven, and hair dryers conduct the most heat, so use these items at night when temperatures are naturally cooler. Making this switch will help you keep your home cool during the hottest part of the day. Turning off appliances when you’re not using them is also beneficial.

Have an HVAC Technician Inspect Your Air Conditioning Unit

Your home’s air conditioning unit is a major investment and a complex system that requires regular maintenance. Just like you must perform maintenance on a vehicle, you must keep up with maintenance on your air conditioner to keep it working properly during the summer. Leaks and maintenance issues can affect the efficiency of your system.

Experts suggest that you have an HVAC technician inspect your unit once a year. An HVAC technician will check for unseen problems causing your system not to run properly and will perform necessary maintenance or repairs.

Weatherize Your Home
Weatherizing your home is a great way to prevent cooled air from escaping through cracks around doors and windows. Weatherizing is also beneficial during the winter to keep warm air in and cold air out.

Use caulking and weather-stripping to close cracks. Make sure you pay special attention to cracks around doors, including doors going into the garage and attic. If you can see light, then air is escaping in these areas. Also have a professional check the insulation in your home periodically.

Install Reflective Film

Reflective film is a cost-effective way to prevent the sun’s rays from heating your home. With numerous affordable options available, homeowners can easily find a reflective film to help fight the sun’s rays. Use caution when using this film on south-facing windows. Reflective film is effective, but it will cool your home year-round, which can make heating your home more difficult during the winter months.

Using the above simple tips can help you lower the temperature in your home during the summer months. Stocking up on plenty of cold beverages and ice pops is a good idea, too. While this suggestion won’t cool your home, kids love something cool, and keeping your body temperature cool is another great way to beat the heat without turning up the air conditioner.

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