The summer heat can be miserable, especially if you don’t have an air conditioner. Here are a few ways to combat high temperatures and cool your home without AC to keep your family comfortable.
1. Close the Blinds
Simple solutions can be very effective. Because sunlight warms up the interior of your home, closing the blinds keeps the living spaces cooler. Blocking the sunlight can provide relief on an unbearably hot day.
Blackout curtains are great at keeping light out. The insulating effect of these window coverings also guards against radiant heat. Heavy curtains prevent hot air and sunlight from entering the home through the windows, helping keep indoor temperatures more comfortable.
Install blackout curtains on windows that receive the most sunlight and bedroom windows. You’ll sleep better in a cool, dark environment.
2. Open the Windows at Night
Even in the middle of summer, the temperature usually falls a few degrees as it gets dark. Open your windows in the evening and close them in the morning to trap the cooler night air in your home.
3. Cool Your Home Without AC by Adding Insulation
Sealing areas where air can get inside your house is not just a tip for cold weather. Replace drafty windows with more efficient alternatives and seal gaps to keep warm air out.
Cracks around your door let warm air from outdoors in. Weatherstripping and caulking are effective ways to seal gaps and cracks.
4. Use Fans to Cool Your Home Without AC
While fans do not lower the temperature of a room on their own, the breeze they produce creates a windchill effect, which brings relief on a hot day.
When turning on your ceiling fan, verify it rotates in a counter-clockwise direction to cool your home. The counter-clockwise motion sends air downwards, which creates a cooling effect for people in the room.
Windows fans are also helpful for keeping a home cool without AC. Open the windows in the evenings and use fans to circulate the air in the house. Fans will draw cooler air in and force warm air out of the home.
5. Prepare Food Outdoors
Cooking on the stovetop or baking in the oven generates heat. To keep your living spaces cooler, use the grill on hot days. Experiment with recipes you can make on the backyard grill. Enjoy dinner with your family on the deck and avoid heating the kitchen.
In summer, plan for meals that don’t need to be cooked. Enjoy a fresh, healthy dinner and keep your living spaces comfortable.
While air conditioning is the best way to escape the summer heat, these methods will help lower the indoor temperature and your power bill.
DMV Home Inspections provides home inspections in the Washington DC metro area. If you’re buying or selling a home, contact us to schedule our services.