6 Effective Ways to Keep Your House Cool During the Summer

Summertime can bring in lots of hot, humid, heavy air into the house, but there are ways to fight back in maintaining a cool, relaxing home. Most of these tips won't cost you much and can work together to deliver a comfortable environment when those temperatures start rising, and you know they will. Check out these experts' recommendations, and be prepared for an amazingly cool summer inside your home.

1. Closing The Blinds/Curtains

Did you know that approximately 30% of unwanted heat comes through your windows? If you receive direct sunlight during the day, close your blinds and/or curtains, especially during peak sunlight hours. It will help keep your rooms cooler and prevent extra warmth from getting in.

The more opaque your curtains or blinds are the better the cooling results will be for your home.

You may also consider purchasing solar curtains, which are designed to block the sun and powerful UV rays with their special, thermally reflective backing.

2. Applying Heat Reducing Films

Here's another inexpensive suggestion from energy experts. You could try putting on reflective, heat-reducing window films to regulate the temperature, and yes, they also work quite well. Some brands feature window films that can reduce up to 78% of the sun's heat coming through your windows. The films can help keep your home bright and comfortable all day long and still, preserve your view outdoors. In addition, window films can block up to 99% of harmful UV rays.

To get the maximum performance out of window films, shop around for films that offer a warranty against bubbling, cracking, and fading.

3. Installing Ceiling Fans

When air is moving, you feel cooler, and if you have ceiling fans already, they can be useful during those hot, hazy, and humid summer days and nights, but it all has to do with the fan blades.

For instance, to add coolness to a room, the blades should be set to spin counterclockwise. When your ceiling fan is rapidly spinning in this direction, it causes a downdraft and creates a wonderful breeze by drawing the cooler air upwards.

To achieve the effect, use the ceiling fan switch or the push-button control on the fan remote, or use voice commands with your smart fans.

4. Installing A Mini-Split

Efficient, economical, and zoning flexibility are just three benefits of having a mini-split air conditioning system installed in your home. The modern air cooling device is a great combination of a built-in unit and a wall unit. It provides a whisper-quiet operation. Its compact size is another welcome feature since it won't detract from your home decor.

Let's be honest. A.C. is the ultimate cooling concept for residential or commercial space. It can be designed to fit in any structure, and if you're wondering who invented air conditioning, it was none other than Willis Carrier, an American engineer. Carrier introduced his first electrical air conditioning unit in 1902. Amen to that.

5. Planting Shade Trees/Foliage

You can beat the heat inside your home when you plant shade trees. For example, deciduous trees are those that lose their leaves.

The tree pros recommend planting big deciduous trees on three sides of your home, including east, west, and northwest to usher in soothing shade from the hot summer sun. This simple strategy of planting trees can lower summer A.C. costs by up to 35%.

6. Grilling Outdoors More Often

Using your oven during summer can increase the rising temperature throughout the home. The last thing you need is more heat indoors, so consider getting a grill or using the one you have more often to prepare meals outdoors.

If you really can't part with using the oven, then, try this tip from experienced cooks. The secret is slow-roasting, which means taking the temperature down to 300 degrees or lower. It'll take longer for foods to cook, but the slow-roasting method will keep your kitchen a lot cooler.

Closing Thoughts

Those hot, humid, unforgiving days and nights of summer can be highly uncomfortable when you're trying to escape the heat inside your home. Follow these excellent tips by the experts, and get your coolness on!

Guest Contributor: Tracie Johnson