Cost effective ways to keep cool during heatwaves

Table of Content

• Invest in a smart thermostat
• It's An Olaplex World And We're Just Living In It. But What Does It Actually Do?
• Still Hot? Try a Whole House Fan

Put a few, or all, of these tips in place now, and you won’t have to choose between being cool or on-budget this summer. This is another great investment to help cool your home in a cost-effective way. There’s no reason to keep your house as cool during the day when nobody’s home. Set the thermostat to let the temperature increase during the periods of time when your home’s unoccupied and then cool it down again before you get back from work or school. Incandescent lightbulbs emit a lot of extra heat, so switching to low or no-heat bulbs like compact fluorescent lightbulbs is a simple way to keep your house cool in the summer. Other common leaky spots are around windows and doors.

Electric boilers are uncommon in homes (at least in the U.S), and so are boilers that run on oil, even though you can still get them. In terms of cons, because of their shape boilers take up more space than the average furnace. They are also quite expensive (up to $10,000), and if anything goes wrong, the repairs can get pretty pricey, too. In terms of measuring efficiency, heat pumps don’t go by the AFUE.

Invest in a smart thermostat

Without central air conditioning, that can be a real struggle. Blackout curtains block sunlight, naturally insulating the rooms in which they’re installed. Consumer Reports recommends neutral-colored curtains with white plastic backings to reduce heat gain by up to 33 percent.

It can also reduce your heating bill by as much as 50%, says the DOE. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Rate locks are available at current terms for 30 to 180 days based on program type, credit profile, property location, etc. which will affect the available rate and term. MIG is a growing residential mortgage lender in the Southeast building on a proven track record as a long-time industry leader. The Knoxville-based company, founded in 1989, employs nearly 400 people.

It's An Olaplex World And We're Just Living In It. But What Does It Actually Do?

Since the days are longer, you can get away with not turning your lights on until later in the evening, saving on costs. But, while they may look small, regular light bulbs can put off a significant amount of heat. Replace them with no-heat light bulbs so your rooms can stay cooler easier. You can keep your house cool in the summer naturally by using shade to block heat from your home. Landscaping with trees can be great for privacy, but it can also keep the sun’s rays off of your house.

If you forgot to latch the vents, then follow the next tip. Experiment with fine-tuning the exact temperature to establish as a default. Start with an objective setting, and fiddle around by shifting the degree up or down until you’re satisfied. Start at around 77 degrees and see if you can tolerate a higher setting.

Still Hot? Try a Whole House Fan

Moreover, airflow impediments put unnecessary strain on your AC, increasing its energy usage. If you're willing to make a small investment, turning your roof into a cool roof can provide a sizable future payoff. Switch to LEDs (light-emitting diodes) for energy-efficient lights that last longer and emit very little heat.

If you're looking for more a rustic or homey look with your draught excluder this one from Brambly Cottage on Wayfair is a great choice. We really like the charcoal design, trimmed with a rust-coloured velvet, but it also comes in red and pale hues of pink, blue and minty green. Upholstered in the cosy sherpa fabric, this textured draught excluder is densely filled with polyester fibre, and the cover is removable, which makes for easy washing. It’s more efficient than the oven, and will heat the house less too. Using your oven heats up your house quickly and makes it harder to cool down. When cooking, limit oven usage by opting for the grill instead.

As you can see, there are many ways to cool your house that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Some, such as essential AC cleaning tasks and covering windows with plastic, won’t even cost you a dime. While expert AC maintenance isn’t free, it’ll be worth every penny as you feel the temp going up every day. This can be one of the most cost-effective ways to cool your house this summer, so long as you reuse plastic wraps.

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. In warmer months, it’s tempting to crank the AC or plant yourself in front of the nearest fan. It turns out there are plenty of ways to buffer your home from the heat without racking up your electric bill. "A good rule of thumb is that you shouldn't need a sweater inside when it's hot outside," he says. Experiment with your thermostat to find the highest possible temperature that allows you to remain comfortable.

Close the Blinds

If you have central air, set your thermostat above 78 degrees . You'll save 5 to 8 percent on cooling costs with each degree above that mark. For a typical household, setting the thermostat at 80 degrees saves 10 to 15 percent; raising it to 85 degrees will save 35 to 55 percent.

If you don’t have a grill, make your meals in a slow cooker several nights a week. A unit that can’t work at full capacity is far less efficient, making it work harder and costing you more. Get your unit checked out and repaired at the beginning of the summer and set a schedule to change your air filter every month. Also get your duct work cleaned out, so the air can flow freely.

Cost-Effective Ways to Keep Your Home Cool in Summer

Otherwise, your pets can cause the fan to run while you're away. No, it's not your imagination—it definitely is getting hotter. The eight warmest years on record occurred over the past decade.

Many others waste energy due to compressor leaks and low refrigerant levels. Studies confirm that poor HVAC maintenance can make a system’s energy usage surge. It will vary from unit to unit, but the increase in energy consumption can range from 30% to 60%. Those temperatures are enough to cause heat illnesses, including rash and cramps. Moreover, Denver’s Department of Public Health issued a warning on extreme heat. According to them, such events will become more common in the city.