Keeping Your House Cool When a Heat Wave Hits

It can be a task to keep your house cool when a heat wave hits but it is easier to achieve than you may think. Besides the tips below, your AC contractor, such as C&S A/C Services may also offer some advice for your specific home. Always ask your AC contractor about energy saving tips.

Close Blinds and Curtains

Mini blinds or curtains are going to reduce the amount of sunlight and heat that streams through your windows. Installing solar sun screens and window film are other options that can greatly reduce the heat that comes through your windows.

Install Cool Lighting

Incandescent light bulbs will heat up a room. If you replace standard bulbs with CFL or LED light bulbs it will help a lot. You should also turn off the lights when they are not needed.

Cook Wisely

You do not want to cook indoors. Eat cold meals, cook outside on the grill and use your microwave. If you do have to cook indoors: cover the pots, use the range hood vent fan, turn the oven off a few minutes before food is cooked and do not open the oven door to check on the food.

Unplugging Electronics

Even when off, electronics are going to bring off heat. When your electronics are not in use, unplug them.

Repair Windows and Doors

It is important to make sure that all windows and doors are tightly closed because a lot of heat will be coming through them if not. If you lock the windows and doors, you will make sure they are even more tightly closed. Installing weather stripping will do you winders on energy saving costs.

Use Fans

A ceiling fan or portable fan uses a lot less energy than an air conditioner does. The fans should only be used when you are in the room. If you have fans on, you can set your thermostat to a higher temperature and save money.

Air Filters

Changing the filter on your AC unit every month during the highest use months is going to allow air to flow easily through your HVAC system. The unit will run more efficiently and save you energy.

Do Not Run Dishwasher and Washer/Dryer in the Daytime

Do not run the dishwasher and clothes washer/dryer during the heat of the day because they generate a lot of heat and will be hard to overcome. Try to run the machines during the evening hours when it is cooler outside. You should wash clothes in cold water, make sure you have full loads, choose shortest wash cycles, clean dryer vent pipe and lint screen regularly, and dry clothes outside on a clothesline.

Use Less Hot Water

Turn your hot water heater down. You should also take shorter showers, take cool showers, and run the bathroom exhaust fan when showering or bathing.

Plan Ahead

Other things to do to your home to keep it cooler include:

• Plant shade trees on the south and west sides
• Install insulated glass windows or storm windows
• Add awnings over sunny windows
• Install attic insulation
• Roof should have cool shingles or light-colored roofing

 

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