6 Tips to Cool Your Home and Save Money This Summer

6 Tips to Cool Your Home and Save Money This Summer

By Alicia Geigel

Being that summer is here, I think we can attest to the fact that we’ve all been trying to stay out of the scorching heat. With the rising temperatures and nearly suffocating humidity, the last thing any of us want to do is to be outside for an extended period of time or worry about the costs of keeping cool.

Keeping your apartment cool during the summer can sometimes be tricky and even stressful. The cost of running the air conditioner or having multiple fans can send your utility bills through the roof, leaving you overwhelmed, stressed, and most likely, hot. While you may be thinking that the A/C is your only way out of a sweltering hot summer, there are multiple ways to cool your dorm or apartment and help to save money along the way.

Are you currently living in an apartment? Are the rising temperatures of the summer leaving you hot and sweaty while at home? Looking for ways to make your place cool and comfortable? Check out these cost-effective ways to keep your dorm or apartment cool for this summer!

1. Keep Windows Closed and Covered During the Day: You ever notice when you have your windows or blinds open on a hot day and the stream of light that comes through your window makes a spot on your floor really hot? Light equals heat energy, which will raise the temperature of your dorm/apartment. During the summer months and particularly on super hot days, close your curtains or lower your blinds to keep sunlight out. The more you are able to do this, the less your air conditioning system will have to work and the cooler your place will be!
2. Open Windows at Night: During the day, the temperatures can be scorching, but in most regions, once nighttime falls, the temperatures can be much cooler and comfortable. Opt for opening the windows at night to get some cool air into your apartment while putting money back in your pocket. Turning off the A/C at night and opening the windows will save you tons in the long run, and who doesn’t love the smell of fresh air?
3. Use a Ceiling Fan/Fan: Fans are an absolute godsend during the summer, so if you’re dealing with a stuffy dorm/apartment, utilize your fans as much as you can! For instance, if you have a ceiling fan, be sure to set it on the right setting for the summer. What do I mean by this? There are specific settings on your fan to either prevent heat from escaping or help cool down your space. Check on your fan and be sure to switch the setting and change the direction of the blades to help keep your dorm/apartment comfortable. Additionally, a desk or clip fan is great to have right by your bed while you sleep for that extra breeze.
4. Maximize Air Circulation: Another simple and cost-free way to cool your dorm/apartment this summer is to maximize the air circulation throughout your place. This is important because the more the air is able to spread around and circulate, the cooler your place will be. If you are able to, keep doors open, such as your bathroom or bedroom door, to help with this. Ron Leshnower of The Spruce writes, “Avoid placing a couch, dresser, or other large pieces of furniture directly in front of or to the side of an air-conditioning unit. Make sure any units in your apartment have enough space to send cool air forward and sideways, ideally at least to a 45-degree angle.”
5. Avoid Using Heat-Generating Appliances: When its hot inside your home, just about anything can contribute to that suffocating heat. When possible, avoid using heat-generating appliances like large TVs, ovens/stovetops, and laundry dryers to help lower the temperature of your home and make it feel more comfortable. Sheena Price of Boardwalk Realty and Management also suggests, “If that’s impossible or there are too many hot days, use spot ventilation. The laundry room fan or hood fan can help cool off the area without the need for a centralized A/C unit.” Cutting back on your appliance usage will make your place cooler all while lowering your utility costs in the long run!
6. Adjust Your Thermostat When You’re Out: We all love coming home to a cool home after a long day of running errands, but when your A/C is running on high the whole time, it can end up burning a hole in your pocket. Before you go out, adjust your thermostat a couple of degrees higher than you normally would. It sounds counter-intuitive, raising the temperature to cool down your house? But the slight degree difference is almost undetectable, but it pays off on your bill! Each degree you raise the thermostat can save you 7-10% on your bill, not too bad if you ask me!

Staying cool during the summer months can be a hassle, especially if you’re trying to stay on a budget. Follow some or all of the above tips and I guarantee your place will stay comfortable for the rest of the summer!