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From sipping iced drinks to applying a cold cloth to strong-pulsed areas like your neck and wrists, cooling yourself from the inside out is not a bad idea.
Large appliances give off significant amounts of heat. Save the use of ovens, dishwashers, and dryers for evening hours when cooler temperatures will offset their output.
Blackout curtains block sunlight, naturally insulating the rooms in which they’re installed. These types of curtains can reduce heat by up to 33%.
Because buckwheat hulls have a naturally occurring airspace between them, they won’t hold on to your body heat like conventional pillows. Great for those warm nights!
It might sound counterintuitive, but keeping your windows closed during the hottest part of the day will prevent hot air from entering your home. As the temperatures outside start to cool down in the evening, open your windows then.
Be smart about your clothing choices by wearing light and breathable fabrics. Another trick is keeping a bowl of cool water by your bed to dip your feet when you feel warm at night.
To create a cooling pressure current, open the top section of windows on the downwind side of your house, and open the bottom section of windows on the upwind side.
Also consider facing a box fan out one window to push hot air out. You can also try wetting a sheet, then hanging it in front the open window like a curtain for a nice breeze.
There are some tricks you can try to heat-proof your bed. Fill a water bottle and put it in the freezer before placing it at the foot of your bed. You can also slightly dampen your sheets or pop them in the freezer before bedtime.
Installing an awning above your windows will work to shield your home from the sun’s rays. The amount of heat that your home absorbs will reduce significantly.
During summer months, temperatures may drop during the night. So if that's the case where you live, crack the windows open before going to bed.
Many of the things that help keep your home warmer in the winter also help keep your home cooler in the summer. Insulation, for example, keeps the cool air in and the heat out.
You can also create a wind tunnel by strategically setting up your fans to force the perfect cross breeze. Just don't forget to close the windows and blinds before it gets too hot in the morning.
Planting trees near light-facing windows will shield your home from the sun’s rays, and reduce the amount of heat your home absorbs.
Insulated window films are a smart purchase, as they work similarly to blinds. From cutting energy costs to providing you privacy while still enjoying the view, they can provide up to 98% infrared heat reduction.
Vines like ivy grow quickly and provide cooling shade. The climbers reduce temperature by blocking the sunlight that heats up exterior walls. It's a great solution that also looks super charming.
Because fans merely keep air moving around, rather than actually cooling the air, it's best to place them on the cooler spots of your home.
You may not realize that your ceiling fan needs to be adjusted seasonally. Set it to run counter-clockwise in the summer at a higher speed, as the fan’s airflow will create a chilly breeze effect.
Up to 30% of unwanted heat comes from your windows. Utilizing blinds can save you up to 7% on bills, and in general lower indoor temperatures tremendously.
Incandescent bulbs waste an estimated 90% of their energy in the heat they emit, so switching to compact fluorescent lamps will make a big difference.
In other words, closing the blinds essentially prevents your home from becoming a miniature greenhouse.
Using your oven or stove in the summer will make your house hotter. So head on out and get your grill going! Plus, you'll get to enjoy being outdoors as well.
Fill a mixing bowl, or a big bottle, with ice and position it at an angle in front of a large fan so the air whips off the ice in an extra-chilled way. It will feel like magic!
Similar to insulation, weather stripping can also help keep cool air from escaping through doors and windows. It's inexpensive and doesn't take much time to install.
Closing off unused rooms will prevent cool air from permeating these areas during the hottest part of the day. Keep them open during the cooler night hours to let air flow naturally.
Heat rises, so hit the downstairs couch or basement to sleep. You can also put your mattress on the floor if the air feels cooler down there.
This also includes the exhaust fan in your kitchen. Both pull the hot air that rises after you cook or take a steamy shower out of your home.
While textiles like flannel sheets and fleece blankets are fantastic for insulation during winter, cotton is the best choice in hotter months. It breathes easier and stays cooler.
Also called attic fans, they push hot air out through attic vents while pulling in cooler air from open windows and doors. Whole-house fans also use a fraction of the electricity that an air conditioner does, so it will help cut down on energy bills.
Sources: (HuffPost) (Reader's Digest)
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When the weather heats up, it's tempting to crank the AC to full blast. But that also means emptying your wallet. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to buffer your home from the heat without getting a high electricity bill. To avoid the high costs of air conditioning, and to also be more environmentally-friendly, check out this gallery for some useful tips.