Summer is finally here, and with the change of seasons comes changing temperatures. Depending on where you live, summer can get incredibly uncomfortable and hot, especially during the night when you’re trying to sleep. Instead of sweating through the season, use these tips to stay cool in your home all summer long.
Invest In Insulation
Insulation isn’t just useful during the winter to keep you warm. Having insulation with a higher R-value can help you stay cooler in the summer by keeping your cooled air inside your house, rather than letting it escape and wasting energy. The R-value is the measure of thermal resistance, which indicates the temperature difference when a unit of heat runs through it. Essentially, the higher the R-value, the better the insulation. If you’re planning on tackling some home repair this summer, this is one area you might want to address.
Lower Temperatures With Lighting
Even if you don’t necessarily notice it all the time, the lights in your house could be giving off just enough heat to cause a few additional problems during the summer months. To fix this issue, try switching to LED bulbs. Unlike incandescent bulbs, which release 90% of their energy as heat, LEDs use energy far more efficiently with little wasted heat. You’ll have brighter lighting throughout your home without having to worry as much about beating the heat.
Fantastic Fans
Ceiling fans can be a great way to reduce your energy bill while still keeping your home cool. Just make sure you’ve got yours spinning the right direction; some ceiling fans are able to switch directions to help with heating your home in the wintertime, so double check to see if you’ve changed it back. If you don’t have a ceiling fan, consider investing in a separate fan for some of the warmer spaces in your house so you aren’t over-exerting your A/C unit.
Smarter Sheets
Ever wake up in the middle of the night because it’s just too hot in your room? You might want to switch out your sheets. Changing to a lighter, more breathable fabric like cotton for your linens in the summer can make sleeping in hot weather a bit more comfortable. You’ll be able to sleep through the night without having to drive up the energy bill by cranking up the A/C.
Don’t Forget Your Furry Friends
You and your family aren’t the only ones feeling the heat during the summer. According to The American Pet Products Association, almost 85 million households have a pet. Be mindful of the heat when it comes to taking care of your pets. Some animals enjoy the hot weather, but if you’re starting to feel the burn, chances are your dog with a fluffy coat is too. Keep extra water out for animals and help them find ways to stay cool.
With summer just around the corner, now is the time to get your home ready so you can stay comfy and cool all season long. How do you plan to cool off your home without running up your energy bill this season?
