How To Keep Your Home Cool In The Summer (Without Breaking The Bank)
When you live in a place that heats up like an oven in the summertime, you might not enjoy the summer as much as you had hoped. Summer is supposed to be a carefree time full of joy and spontaneity, but if you’re bogged down with feeling too hot, you won’t be making the most of it.
If your home isn’t built or designed for hot weather, you might begin to dread the summer. However, there are surefire ways to keep your home much cooler than it is designed to be, simply through technology, innovation and a little bit of creativity!
Here are 5 ways to keep your home cool in the summer, without breaking the bank.
1. Plug-In Fans
Plug-in fans are one of the easiest ways to keep your home cool in the summer. Especially if you have trouble sleeping in hot weather, plug-in fans could be the answer to your prayers. A plug-in fan is mobile, so you can move it into whichever room of the house you might be spending time in. Additionally, plug-in fans are quite cost-effective, and tend to last a long time if you clean them.
The cons of a plug-in fan, however, include the fact that plug-in fans use a lot of electricity, so you can expect your bills to go up. In addition, plug-in fans can make some noise, which some users do not like if they are trying to sleep or work with the fan running.
2. Open Windows and Doors for Ventilation
When you want something done right, do it the old fashioned way! You would be amazed at just how effective opening windows and doors can be when attempting to cool down your home. Creating a flow of air between the rooms in your home can actually bring a breezy feeling into the house, cooling down the rooms and making you feel more comfortable.
The upshot of this method is that it is completely free – but the downside is that you can’t ventilate your home while you are out of the house for safety reasons.
3. Install Air Conditioning
Air conditioning is more of a significant investment, but it might be worth it for a good night’s sleep in the summer months! Installing air conditioning gives you a quiet, cool stream of air in any room you desire, the temperature and pressure of which you can control at the touch of a button.
In order to safely install air conditioning, you will need an EICR to be completed. What does EICR stand for? An EICR is an Electrical Installation Condition Report, essentially giving you the all-clear that your home environment is safe for the installation of electrical equipment like AC.
You can purchase air conditioning units at most homeware stores, but make sure you do your research before you shop. You will need to keep the air conditioning unit clean, and have it maintained by an electrician if something goes amiss.
4. Purchase a Dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers are perfect for families who live in humid or damp conditions. Cities, in particular, can become very humid during the summer – and in that time, you might find that you are sweating constantly, always in need of a shower!
A dehumidifier has so many benefits for your home, including the fact that it reduces the feeling of clamminess and makes your home more comfortable in the summer. A dehumidifier can also help clothes that are hung out to dry; reduce the chances of your home developing a damp issue; and make sure no mould is forming in rooms like your kitchen or bathroom.
5. Invest in New Fabrics
The fabrics that you place around your home actually affect its temperature significantly. If your home is full of heavy, fluffy fabrics that make up your blankets, couches and carpets, these will lock in heat, making it harder to keep cool.
Fabrics such as linen and gingham, however, are much lighter and more breathable than denser fabrics like velvet or wool. Investing in new fabrics, or simply putting away your heavy fabric quilts and blankets for the summer, can stop your home from sealing in the heat and create a more airy, cool home environment for you and your family.
Final Thoughts
If you are suffering with the heat of today’s summer climate, you don’t need to be! Use this guide to help cool down your home during the summer in a cost-effective way, so you can sleep well, feel comfortable and enjoy summer the way it is meant to be enjoyed!