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Sometimes, it can feel like an absolute struggle to keep your home cool in the summertime. Even if you have a central air conditioner, there may still be times when you may want to opt for another way to chill your home — especially if you’re looking to cut back on your overall energy consumption. Luckily, there are a few ways to do that!
Block out Sunlight
Sure, there’s nothing better than pulling the curtains back and having the sun’s rays pool into your home. However, when the temperature outside could be considered unbearable, there’s a chance that those glistening rays will heat your house to new heights. While you might not want to avoid having any sunshine in your home altogether, you should keep in mind where the sun is the strongest throughout the day.
For example, if you have a bedroom in the front of your home that gets pelted with sunshine from the morning to the middle of the day, then it might be wise to keep the blinds/curtains shut until the evening. When you do this, you’ll notice that each room will be much more comfortable and that the “free heat” won’t linger around much longer than you’d like it to.
Switch to Energy-efficient Bulbs
Did you know that regular light bulbs tend to use much more energy than their new, energy-efficient siblings? If you have an array of standard light bulbs in your home, they can even add to the overall heat — something you might not even realize. Opting for LED and any other energy-efficient bulbs will genuinely make a difference and will also help cut back on your overall energy consumption each month!
Start to Cook Outside More
When was the last time you opted to fire up the grill in your backyard? For some, that could have been yesterday — but for others, that could have been quite some time ago. Regardless of the last time you used your barbecue, you might want to start using it much more often. The reason being is that cooking under an open sky will help any heat from the grill drift out into the distance; there’s nowhere for it to be trapped.
Now, when you choose to cook inside (especially on the hotter days of summer), any heat that’s coming from your stovetop, no matter how high or low you set the temperature, will get trapped in your home (unless you’re using an exhaust fan). This will make your kitchen, and rooms nearby, seem much hotter than they are and will more than likely make you crank up your air conditioner even higher.
Enjoy Cold Treats
While it’s essential to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water daily, you might grow a bit tired of drinking it (completely understandable). If you’re looking for a way to keep yourself cool indoors and beat the heat, then it’s best to look into some cold, tasty treats such as ice pops! No matter what flavor they might be or if they’re sugar-free, any ice pop will get the job done and can help you feel cool — even when a room gets stuffy.
Choose Light Fabrics
Whether it’s your bedding or the clothing you’re wearing, it’s best to opt for cotton and other light fabrics that don’t absorb heat. You’d be surprised at how synthetic materials can trap heat and provide discomfort, making you believe that a room is much hotter than it really is (even when it's air-conditioned).
Now, if you’re looking to get bedding made from a different material other than cotton, you can opt for either bamboo or silk. These two timeless materials are the perfect way to help keep you cool all night long when you sleep — and, as a bonus, come in a variety of patterns and colors to match any aesthetic!
The Minute You Run Into an HVAC Problem, Give Us a Call!
To schedule your appointment with Quality Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, call us today at (865) 622-7785 and receive the ultimate in-home comfort with Southern charm!