7 Ways to Stay Cool Without Central Air Conditioning
Posted by Moore Home Services
Energy Savings
Summer is on the way, and it’s time to break out the shorts and T-shirts. But that doesn’t mean you have to turn up your air conditioning unit and raise your energy bills. While we can’t change the weather, there are a few things you can do to help keep you and your home cool without central air conditioning.
Switch Your Ceiling Fan to Reverse
Ceiling fans don’t technically cool a room by lowering the temperature. Instead, they create a “wind chill” effect by pushing air towards you, helping to cool you down by up to 4º.
By keeping your ceiling fan on a counterclockwise rotation, you’ll stay cool without central air conditioning.
To switch your ceiling fan from clockwise to counterclockwise. Look for a small switch near the motor housing at the top of the fan. It may be hidden by a decorative light kit). Use this switch to change the direction in which your blades are spinning.
Blackout Curtains Aren’t Only for Evenings
When it comes to keeping cool in the summer, blackout curtains can make a big difference. They’re designed to keep sunlight out of a room and help you sleep better, but they can also be a useful tool for keeping your home cooler.
Blackout curtains are typically very heavy, which means they are good insulators. They can help block sunlight from entering a room and heating it up — if the curtains are closed. If you’re not using a room during the day, close the curtains to keep the sun from warming up that space.
Keep Cool in The Kitchen by Using Your Crockpot
In summer, cooking with your crockpot can be a great way to stay cool and save energy. Crockpots use less energy than an oven, and they don’t heat up your kitchen like a stovetop or oven does.
Crockpots are also safer for families with kids. There’s no risk of accidentally leaving the oven on when you leave to go sunbathing or swimming. And it’s nice not to have to fuss over dinner while you’re trying to enjoy the sunshine.
Spend Family Time Making Popsicles
Homemade popsicles are easy to make, totally customizable, and perfect for a hot summer’s day. They’re also a great way to use up fresh produce (hello, berry season). It’s an activity the whole family can enjoy together.
To make popsicles at home, you’ll need popsicle molds or small paper cups and wooden craft sticks or plastic spoons. Craft sticks can be found in the party supply section of most discount stores; dollar stores are also a good place to find inexpensive crafting supplies.
You’ll also need some sort of liquid for your popsicle mix. Freshly squeezed juice is a popular choice for homemade popsicles, but you can use anything from lemonade to leftover coffee or tea. You may want to add sweetener if your liquid isn’t already fairly sweet; sugar, honey, and even artificial sweeteners all work well.
Pop your chosen flavor in the popsicle mold, freeze and enjoy!
Open The Windows at Night
If there’s a cool breeze outside, then opening the windows at night is an excellent way to let some fresh air into the house.
When the sun disappears, so does the heat its rays have been carrying all day. With nothing to warm them, outdoor surfaces cool down quickly. If you open your windows when the outdoor air is cooler than the air inside your house, a breeze will form. Then air will flow in through open windows on one side of your house and out through open windows on the other side.
Invest In a Whole House Fan
A whole house fan rids your home of the hot air that has built up in your home throughout the day and replaces it with cooler outside air. This process can cool your home by 30-40 degrees within minutes of turning it on. It is also much more energy-efficient than running your air conditioner all day.
Whole house fans are fairly easy to install and can be installed in most homes.
Book In AC Maintenance and Tune-Ups
The summer months are an especially important time to have your air conditioning system checked out and repaired because it places extra stress on the system.
Don’t wait until your AC quits on you. Get ahead of the problem with a routine tune-up and regular AC maintenance.
Book your next AC tune-up with the pros at Moore Home Services!
