With summer temperatures reaching into extreme heat conditions, it’s important to keep your home comfortable and efficient. Relying on air conditioning may be the easiest solution, but can also rack up a hefty utility bill. Here are a few tips to keeping your home cool and costs low.

Keep Your Windows Shut
Closing your blinds during the day can diffuse the sun’s rays from reaching into your home. By doing so from late morning to early evening, you can reduce temperatures inside by roughly 10-15 degrees. If you prefer total darkness, using blackout curtains can also be an effective tool.

Turn Your Ceiling Fan On
Using your ceiling fans throughout the seasons can have several benefits to keeping your area comfortable, depending on which direction you’ve set the blades. In the summer, keep your fans circulating in a counter-clockwise direction, pushing the air flow down to feel cooler. In the winter, adjust your fans (using the switch typically at the base of the fan) to rotate clockwise to warm the space.

Avoid Cooking or Baking
While it may be more cost-effective to eat at home, using the stove, oven, and other kitchen appliances can add to the amount of heat within the house. Unplugging appliances and other electronics when not in use can also help to reduce wattage outputs which can reduce cost.

Invest in Better Insulation
Using energy-efficient doors, windows, and insulation can create a tighter seal to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Older homes may not have been built with these features, but can be upgraded to fit newer standards of construction.

Use High-Efficiency Lighting
Even the lightbulbs in your home can play into how much heat is generated throughout the day. Try switching out your traditional bulbs for energy-efficient LED bulbs in high-traffic areas to save on costs.

Use Breathable Fabrics
Choosing sheets made from lighter fabrics, such as bamboo or cotton, can keep you cool and allow for a better night’s sleep. Wearing loose, breathable clothing can also help to alleviate moisture.

While extreme heat can be more prevalent in the summer months, maintaining cost-effective solutions around your home can be beneficial all year long.

Stay cool!