5 Tips to Keep your Home Cool this Summer

It has been a dry, hot spring. If this is any indication of what summer will be like, we’re all going to need a little help staying cool. We have some tips to help you keep things more comfortable inside when it’s blazing outside.

Install or maintain your HVAC system. 

We’re a heating and cooling company, so it should come as no surprise that we think a well-maintained HVAC system is your best option for keeping your house at a happy temperature. If you have an AC system, you may also want to get a smart thermostat, or smart AC controller, to keep your home cool without wasting a lot of energy. You should also make sure to change and clean your air filters regularly (clean them every two weeks and replace them every four months, as a general rule). If you don’t have an AC until, you can also make use of the fan on your furnace – running it during the summer helps your air circulate better and maintain a comfortable temperature.

Block the sun

It might sound very “villain-y”, but blocking the sun is your best bet for keeping a cool home. Make sure your blinds and curtains are drawn during the day, when the sun is at its strongest. Use reflective window film to block up to 78% solar heat and 99% harmful UV rays (which can damage your furniture, walls and flooring, not to mention your photographs and art). You can also install awnings or plant trees or shrubbery in strategic places to lower the amount of sun that enters your home.

Cook (and eat) outside

While cooking and baking are wonderful things, there is nothing nice about doing so in a sweltering hot kitchen. Keep your stove and oven time to a minimum when the weather is hot, and take advantage of BBQ season. Sure, standing in front of a hot grill isn’t much colder, but at least it won’t heat your entire home. Plus, you shouldn’t be checking on your burgers so much anyway!

Make renos work for you

If you are doing renovations, there are many things you can add to make your temperature control easier. A reflective (or cool) roof can effectively keep your home more comfortable in the summer, with or without air conditioning. Installing better insulation in your attic and walls can make a significant difference to your ability to stay refreshed, while also keeping costs down.

Small changes add up

If you don’t plan on installing an AC unit, or changing your roof, you can still make a difference in your interior temperature with small changes. Try a cooling mattress pad to lower your bed’s temperature. Add some humidity-absorbing plants, like peace lilies, to your home. Change out your sheets to a set made of breathable material like cotton, Tencel, linen or bamboo. And turn off your appliances and lights when you aren’t using them. While none of these will make a huge difference on their own, they all help to keep you at a more comfortable temperature when the sun has other plans.

Be sure to contact the Action team, and we would be happy to help you with all of your air conditioning needs this spring and summer!