In Columbia, Maryland, summers see average highs in the mid to upper 80s, which can easily leave your home feeling warm and uncomfortable. If you’re looking for an affordable way to keep your house cooler, try these tricks. A few smart strategies for natural home cooling can lower your energy bills and improve comfort.
Address Air Flow
Consider the path that air takes throughout the home. If you have a ceiling fan in the living room, this can help improve air flow and provide a chilling effect for those who can feel its impact. Consider rearranging furniture if large items are making it difficult for air to travel out of this room and into other parts of the home. Watch for furniture, rugs, or drapes blocking air flow from your air registers as well, so your air conditioner can operate as efficiently as possible.
Block Light From Windows
Close window hangings to cover your south- and west-facing windows during the day to keep the warming rays of the sun at bay. According to Family Handyman, 30 percent of unwanted heat enters the home through windows. You can also shade these windows from the outside with well-placed trees. These steps may decrease your indoor temperatures by as much as 20 degrees in summer.
Manage Humidity
Low humidity levels will make the air feel cooler than it actually is, while high humidity levels can give you a feeling of warm stuffiness. Help your home feel cooler by keeping humidity levels low. Take shorter showers and avoid cooking steamy dishes on the stove. Your air conditioner provides a natural dehumidification effect. If you need more help battling humidity in your home, you can install a whole-home dehumidifier as well.
Regular care and maintenance will also go a long way toward keeping your home cool with minimal air conditioning. If your system needs extra care and attention, contact Griffith Energy Services at 888-474-3391. We’ll help you find energy-efficient strategies for a cool home all summer.
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