In the warmer months, you may be desperately looking for ways to keep the heat out of your home. Most people choose to crank up the air conditioner the second they walk in the door. However, not everyone has the option of air conditioning, or you may be trying to conserve energy and reduce the cost of their monthly bills. Fortunately, there are plenty of other ways to help keep cool without using AC.
Shut Those Blinds
Keep your blinds closed! Up to 30 percent of unwanted heat comes from your windows, and utilizing shades, curtains and the like can lower indoor temperatures by up to 20 degrees. Closing the blinds essentially prevents your home from becoming a miniature greenhouse, which is especially the case with south- and west-facing windows.
Consider blackout curtains, as they block sunlight and act as insulation. Neutral-colored curtains are also recommended as a heat deterrent.
Be Smart With Your Doors and Windows
Be conscious of our door activity. Closing off unused rooms will prevent cool air from permeating these areas during the hottest part of the day. You’ll want to capitalize on the cooler night hours, too, letting air flow naturally through your home.
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.
Temperatures may significantly drop during the night. If this is the case, make the most of these refreshing hours by cracking the windows before you go to bed. You can even create a wind tunnel by strategically setting up your fans to force the perfect cross breeze. Just be sure to close the windows and blinds before it gets too hot in the morning.
Upgrade Your Fans
Fill a mixing bowl 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 state.
Set your ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise. Your ceiling fan needs to be adjusted seasonally. Set to run counter-clockwise in the summer at a higher speed, the fan’s airflow will create a wind-chill breeze effect that will make you and your guests feel cooler.
Change Your Lights
If you ever needed the motivation to make the switch to compact fluorescent lamps, this is it. Incandescent bulbs waste about 90% of their energy in the heat they emit, so getting rid of them will make a small difference in cooling your home while lowering your electric bill.
Minimize Inside Cooking
Using your oven or stove will make it significantly hotter in your apartment. Enjoy the outdoors and grill your food outside.
As the summer heats up, don’t let your risk of insurance claims. Protect your apartment with Renters Insurance so you can enjoy your summer with no worries about your AC bill or the safety of your possessions.
About Sine Insurance
At Sine Insurance Group, we are dedicated to providing you with custom-tailored insurance policies to protect your assets. Our comprehensive packages have been expertly crafted to serve St. Louis and the surrounding areas for the past 25 years. For more information about our products, contact us today at (636) 947-1177.