It’s summertime, and that means the temperatures are heating up! The temperature inside your home can quickly become unbearable during the summer months. Air conditioning is often expensive, and opening windows can let in unwanted pests. Luckily, you can do a few simple things to keep your home cool without breaking the bank. In this blog post, we will discuss 11 ways to improve the temperature in your home. Some of these methods are simple and inexpensive, while others may require a little more effort. But no matter what, we promise that you will find something here that will help you beat the heat!
Flooring
The type of flooring in your home can play a big role in the temperature inside. Some types of flooring, like concrete or tile, absorb heat more easily than others, like carpet, area rugs, or wood. If your house seems hotter than normal in certain rooms or areas, consider replacing hard surfaces with something insulating against the heat and keeping it cooler. For example, consider installing carpet in your bedroom rather than a tile floor.
Windows
Windows are a great way to let in natural light and fresh air, but they can also be excellent heat sources. During hot summer days, try closing your windows to keep out any extra sun that might be shining directly into the room. And if you need extra cooling power during the summer, open up windows on opposite sides of the room to create a cross-breeze. For example, if you open up a window on the south side of the room, open another one on the north side to defuse some of that hot air. In wintertime, ensure your windows are properly insulated and sealed against drafts to keep heat from escaping through cracks or small gaps in the frame.
Install high-efficiency light bulbs
Traditional incandescent and fluorescent bulbs are not energy efficient, producing a lot of heat as they operate. Switching to more efficient LED and CFL bulbs will help keep your home cool by producing much less heat in the summer. For example, a 60-watt incandescent bulb produces 890 BTUs per hour. In contrast, a 14-watt CFL uses only 51 watts of energy but still emits the same amount of light as a 60-watt incandescent. If you use ten 60-watt bulbs in your home, installing five compact fluorescent bulbs can save you almost $250 a year in energy costs.
Ceiling and standing fans
Another great way to keep your home cool is by using fans. Ceiling and standing fans effectively circulate the cool air produced by an AC unit or a dehumidifier, keeping you nice and comfortable even when temperatures outside start to rise. For example, a ceiling fan can reduce air conditioning by up to 40% during summer! Using a standing or pedestal fan in your home also helps keep cool air circulating. If you’re looking for an energy-efficient way to stay cool, consider switching out one or two traditional light bulbs for compact fluorescent bulbs, which are much cooler than incandescent bulbs. They use about 75% less energy than regular bulbs and last up to 10 times longer other words, they consume much less electricity and keep your home cooler over the long run.
Close the blinds, curtains, and shades
Light can be a major source of heat in your home. Closing your blinds, curtains, and shades on hot days will help keep all that unwanted light out, preventing it from adding to the overall temperature of your home. For example, you can install blackout curtains on your windows to block out light or lower the shades during the hotter parts of the day.
Rugs and carpets
Another simple way to improve your home’s temperature is by adding rugs or carpets to your floors. By trapping heat close to the ground, these soft surfaces can help preserve your home cooler during the summer months. You can also consider installing a tiled floor or hardwood flooring, which will be much more heat-absorbent. For example, wool rugs are great for summertime, as they help keep your home cooler by absorbing body heat. And silk rugs are another great choice since they can help prevent the collection of dust and allergens.
Fans and air conditioning units
Adding fans or an air conditioning unit can also be helpful when it comes to improving the temperature in your home. Both of these solutions move cool or hot air around, helping to regulate the overall temperature in the room. If you only have AC in your home, consider investing in a fan to increase airflow and ensure that rooms stay cool or warm enough for your comfort level.
Make smart use of plants
Did you know that certain plants can help cool down your home? Some outdoor plants, like the Boston fern and peace lily, are known for absorbing excess humidity and releasing clean, cooled air. Using these plants in strategic locations around your home can be a great way to improve the temperature without having to turn on your AC unit. For example, placing a Boston fern in your bedroom can help keep the air cool and fresh overnight.
Consider installing an attic fan
Attic fans are designed to improve air circulation, which benefits homes that tend to get hot and stuffy. By dragging hot air out of your attic and circulating cooler air throughout your home, an attic fan can be a great way to maintain your home at a comfortable temperature, even on the hottest days. For example, installing an attic fan can reduce energy costs by helping your air conditioning unit work less.
Adjust the thermostat
Many people don’t realize that adjusting the thermostat by just a few degrees can greatly impact your home’s overall temperature. For example, if you keep your thermostat set at 70 when it’s 80 outside, you’re allowing heat to build up inside your home and forcing your AC unit to work extra hard. Instead, try setting your thermostat around 75 degrees, which allows you to stay cool while saving money on your energy bills.
Exhaust fans
In addition to using an attic fan, it’s important to ensure that all your exhaust fans are working properly and directing hot air outside. If you notice that the top of your stove or oven gets hot, try to turn on the exhaust fan to move the heat out of your kitchen. If your bathroom is too warm, take advantage of your ventilation fan so that excess moisture isn’t building up inside your home. For example, running a bath or shower can create natural humidity because of the added moisture in the air. Bathroom fans exist to move that excess humidity out of your home and back outside.
Conclusion:
As you can witness, there are many ways to improve the temperature in your home. Many solutions are available if you want to seal up air leaks, replace old windows and doors, or use exhaust fans more often. Rugs, insulation, and window coverings can all help to reduce the amount of cold or hot air that leaks out of your home. And remember, RugKnots has a huge selection of rugs, including decorative and functional ones. So, our selection is sure to have what you need if you’re looking for a floor covering to keep your feet warm or something that will help block drafts from windows.
