8 Easy Tips for Keeping Your Home Cool This Summer (Without A/C)

As much as we anticipate and hope for warmer weather, especially after a long, cold winter, we can often become too hot, sweaty and uncomfortable once we get the sunny weather that we spend all winter asking for. While summer is a great time to enjoy being in the open, sitting outside for a drink and BBQ with family and friends, it can also get quite hot and we might be tempted to run up our energy bill by overusing the air conditioning.

While this may seem like a good solution to an immediate problem, it can have negative effects on the environment and become costly for your own sake. In order to keep costs budget-friendly and still enjoy comfort throughout the warm, summer months, here are 8 simple tips and tricks to keep your home cool.

1. Seal Gaps and Insulate Properly

Proper insulation throughout your home means that air from outside doesn’t easily seep inside and air from inside also doesn’t escape. It keeps your home warm in the winter months when you run the heater, and cool in the summer months when you run the air conditioning. This helps you save money on your energy bill.

All exterior doors should have weatherstripping, while windows should have no gaps and be fitted with blinds or shades that help further insulate the home. Before summer starts, it’s a good idea to check that all areas in the home are properly insulated and seal up any drafts with caulking if necessary. This will go a long way to ensure that your home stays at a comfortable temperature regardless of the conditions outside.

2. Limit Use of Appliances

Running appliances and electronics such as your television, washing machine and oven can emit heat and detract from the work your air conditioner is doing. If you can help it, limit washing your clothes to evenings only when the sun goes down and limit computer and television use. After all, you should be outside enjoying the nice weather while the sun’s out!

3. Plant Trees and Bushes

While this may take some time, dedication and possibly a green thumb, planting trees and bushes outside of windows in your home can help filter light coming from the sun and shade certain areas of the home to keep you cool. More greenery around your home will also make your garden and lawn look great while boosting and improving your mood. Just make sure to water and fertilize your plants properly so they will grow big and healthy, to cover and shade more of your home over time.

4. Install Ceiling Fans

It goes without saying that fans provide a lot of comfort in the summer months, especially on days where the sun is blazing through the windows and the rooms inside your home become stifling. Many people enjoy the comfort of sleeping with a fan on and the kind of white noise they emit to help lull you to sleep.

While any regular fan will do, ceiling fans tend to be very convenient for most as they are positioned perfectly in the centre of the room for maximum effect, especially while sleeping. If you want to keep cool at all times and can’t stand the heat of the summer, installing ceiling fans (even if just in the bedrooms) may be your best bet.

5. Keep Yourself Cool

When everything is said and done and you’ve tried every remedy imaginable, the heat could still be an issue for you if you’re not taking the proper precautions to keep yourself and your body cool. This means drinking enough water to stay hydrated, wearing lighter clothes, taking cold showers and not sleeping with a heavy comforter at night.

These may seem like small things but they really could have a big impact on your comfort level and ability to keep cool. After all, you can’t really expect to be cool and comfortable if you’re sitting around wearing winter clothes, heavy sweaters and layers. Be aware of what your body needs and act accordingly.

6. Retreat to Lower Levels

Lower levels in your home, such as the basement, may provide additional relief as these places tend to be colder, with less access to direct sunlight. If you are feeling too hot upstairs, consider spending some time on the lower levels of your home or at least retreating there during the daylight hours when the sun is at its peak.

7. Let Some Air In

Cracking a window open at night is a common strategy to keep the home cool. Since the evenings tend to be colder, letting in some of that cooler air can save you some money by reducing the amount of air conditioning you have to use. Keep in mind that the windows don’t need to be completely open, just a slight opening should be sufficient to let some colder air circulate.

8. Invest in Shades and Blinds

One of the most important things you can do in order to help insulate your home, save money on energy and keep you and your family cool in the summer is to choose reliable, high-quality window treatments for your home. For example, solar window shades offer a clean, contemporary look while allowing you to control how much light gets into your home.

They come in a wide variety of styles, patterns and colours and can be customized to your liking so that they work with your existing home décor and enhance any window. There are also motorized options available for extra convenience. Not only do shades and blinds offer insulation and light filtering capabilities but they also increase privacy when you need it most. When it comes down to it, blinds and shades are an easy, convenient and stylish way to keep your home comfortable in summer and winter.

With summer coming and the sun coming out to play, you should be focused on making memories and having a great time, not worried about how hot and uncomfortable your home will get. Invest in solar shades that will keep your home cool and comfortable all summer long.

Our staff at Window Blinds Direct are knowledgeable, professional and ready to help you find the best shades and blinds to keep your home properly insulated regardless of the weather outside.

For more information on window treatments that offer cooling properties, such as solar shades, call Window Blinds Direct at 647-503-4357 or contact us here.