In order to efficiently cool your home in the summer, it is important keep the sun out and keep the air cool. This may sound elementary, but following these two simple rules will make a huge temperature difference in your home.
But keeping your house cool does not have to be expensive. Below are some eco-friendly ways to cool your home.
Shade the windows
There are several ways to help block warm sun from entering a house. The first is to use eco-friendly shades often called blackout shades. These shades and curtains are made out of dense materials that block the sun from entering a room, keeping it cool throughout the summer.
Another way to shade windows is to plant trees and shrubs that block the sun. This does not mean plants have to be placed against windows to shade them. Often, a tree on the opposite side of the yard can help block sunlight. Watch the path the sun travels over the period of a day to find the perfect location to plant.
Use a programmable thermostat
Programmable thermostats are one of the most overlooked items when considering eco-friendly ways to cool a house. These devices can be programmed to keep multiple air temperatures at different times of the day. If no one is home during the day, set the thermostat to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and have the air cool down right before your estimated time of arrival. This will reduce the electricity used throughout the day.
Place window units north
If you use window or portable air conditioners, place them in windows on the north side of your home. These units will be shaded for most of the day and not have to work as hard to cool the house. According to Good Housekeeping, units that are placed on the north side of a house consume 10 percent less electricity.
Keep yourself cool
There are plenty of ways to keep cool in the summer without using electricity. Drinking cool liquids throughout the day, wearing appropriate clothing and even eating certain foods will help.
Provide air movement
Fans are a great way produce air movement throughout the house. Room-temperature air that flows through a house makes you feel cooler than the room actually is.
Another way to get air movement in a house is to cross ventilate windows. Air wants to move from an area of high pressure to low pressure. Find out which side of the house the wind is blowing into. This is the high-pressure side. The opposite is side of the house is the low pressure. Opening a few windows on each side will create constant air movement.
Invest in reflective roof coatings
If you have a flat roof, you can paint a reflective coating over the top that reduces the amount of sun your roof absorbs. This can drastically decrease the temperature and is an eco-friendly way to keep a house cool in the summer.
Turn off electronics
All appliances emit heat when they are running. Turn off your appliances to keep it cooler in your house. A television, computer, radio and oven on in the same room can create a lot of heat!
Creating an eco-friendly and cool environment in a house is as simple as keeping the air cool and the sun out. Using a few easy techniques, such as shading windows and turning off electric devices, can help reduce the temperature drastically throughout a home. These techniques will help save the planet, and save money.
See Also: 13 Eco Friendly Products You Need In Your Home
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