There’s nothing quite like walking out of the blistering Texas heat and into your cool home or apartment. For many, however, this isn’t always a reality. Cooling a whole house with A/C not only eats up your energy usage, but your dollar bills, too. For more cost-effective and efficient ways to cool down your house this summer, read on.
Close the curtains. Our first instinct on a warm, bright day is to let the sunshine in. However, doing so lets the heat into the house. Keep your curtains or blinds closed throughout the day.
Switch off appliances. Believe it or not, but lights and appliances all generate a little bit of heat in operation. Save yourself money on the energy bills while keeping the house cool by turning the lights off. Unplug appliances, and don’t be tempted to charge your phone overnight unless you absolutely have to.
Optimize the fans. In the summer, run your fans counter-clockwise on their highest setting to push air straight down and create a wind chill effect. In the winter, set them back to clockwise on low to slowly force warm air down into the room.
Avoid cooking inside. The kitchen can create a lot of heat when you’re cooking. The best compromise is to cook during the coolest time of day or to get the barbecue out and go outside (in the shade!).
Open the windows at both ends of the house. Opening windows at both ends of the house creates a through-breeze that pushes air through one opening and out the other, helping to reduce the temperature in your home.
Sleep downstairs. It may sound dramatic, but if you’re struggling to sleep, going downstairs may be the best place for you. Hot air rises, so sleeping in a room on the ground floor means you’ll feel cooler.
We hope that these tips help you to keep your home cooler this summer. Remember to secure homeowners insurance that protects your home through summer and beyond. Contact the team at Reata Insurance Group. We can help you secure reliable home coverage in Texas that suits your needs and budget.
