The summer months are upon us, and it is hotter than ever. No matter where you live or what type of home you have, there are 10 simple steps you can take this summer to keep your home cooler and safer for your family.
1. Use air conditioning wisely.
If you have either central air conditioning or a window unit, have your unit(s) cleaned and serviced before summer begins. Ensure the air conditioner filters are clean regularly for maximum efficiency.
Evaporative air conditioning units (also called swamp coolers), require less maintenance, have less environmental impact and have lower running costs. They work by filtering hot outdoor air through a series of wet filter pads supplied with water from a holding tank. The water from the filter pads evaporates, drawing heat out of the air and humidifying it.
Though they are not as effective as traditional air conditioning units, these units can be very successful in dry climates where they can reduce the temperature in a single room by 5 to 15 degrees. When using swamp coolers, be sure to open the doors throughout your home to increase air flow. These coolers add moisture to the air which can create conditions for mold and mildew to grow. So be sure to clean the unit three to four times a year and change pads regularly.
2. Use fans to circulate the air.
If you don’t have air conditioning, learning to use electric fans efficiently can help cool the air. It is important to understand that on their own, fans only move air around and keep you cool by helping to evaporate your sweat. Placing a shallow bowl of ice in front of an electric fan is a creative way to create a cool mist machine. This is the same concept as an evaporative air conditioning unit mentioned above, but on a smaller scale.
When using electric fans during extreme heat events, position fans to exhaust hot air from rooms or to draw in cooler air. If you live in a multi-storied home, place electric fans at the base of the stairs tilted upwards. This will help circulate the cooler air from the basement or lower floors towards upper floors.
You should not use an electric fan in a closed room or as the only means of cooling a room when the room temperature is in the mid-90s or higher. When it is that hot, electric fans may deceivingly provide comfort but will not prevent heat-related illness.
If you have ceiling fans, be sure that they are rotating counterclockwise during the warmer months. In the winter months, rotate your ceiling fan clockwise to push the warm air down. There is a switch on the base of the fan that can change the fan direction. This small trick will make a huge difference.
3. Use shades or add reflective film to windows that receive morning or afternoon sun.
Cover south and west facing windows in your home to reduce direct light in the afternoon. This will help limit a rise in indoor temperatures. Drapes, darkening shades, roller shades, awnings and louvers all provide helpful window coverage. Outdoor awnings and louvers reduce the heat that enters a home more than indoor window shades or curtains.
Additionally, consider adding reflective film to your windows. These films let the light in while reflecting much of the sun’s heat away from your home. They also block up to 99% of harmful ultraviolet light rays. For maximum heat reduction, use metalized films or carbon films.
4. Consider outdoor conditions and open and close windows and doors accordingly.
Check the temperature and air quality outdoors daily and consider both before opening your windows. If the outside temperature is hotter than the air inside, close the windows. If the air outside is cooler, open the windows. Screens can be used to prevent pests and insects from entering the home. Remember that your home's security should also be considered when opening windows.
Close the doors and vents in rooms that you’re not using. You can even use towels to seal the bottom of the doors. By sealing off these rooms, you can focus on cooling the main rooms of your home.
5. Check the weather stripping on doors and windows to ensure hot air is not coming in.
The EPA indicates that 25-40% of a home’s cooling and heating energy loss is through the cracks along doors and windows. To test if you need to replace your weather stripping, light a candle and carefully hold the flame next to the door/window frame. Watch for any fluttering of the flame. For closed doors, try pulling a piece of paper from under the closed-door seal. The easier it is to pull the piece of paper, the more likely it is time for weather strip replacement.
6. Skip heat-producing appliances.
Many kitchen and laundry appliances produce heat that can increase the temperature in your home. On hot days, consider grilling outside or using the microwave instead of turning on the oven or stove top. You might also want to use a clothesline to dry your clothes outdoors instead of the dryer.
7. Change your lighting.
Change your incandescent and halogen light bulbs that produce heat to LED light bulbs. Turn off any unnecessary lights in your home. Small things do matter.
8.Make heat-reducing updates outside your home.
Plant trees and scrubs on the south and west sides of your home. Urban trees and greenscapes can reduce the temperature by up to 7°F during the day and 22°F at night.
Consider updating your driveway, sidewalks and patios to porous pavement, pavers or crushed rock instead of cement or balcktop. Porous surfaces allow rain to absorb into the ground, reducing pollution, stormwater runoff and flood risk. They can also lower temperatures through evaporative cooling and act as a water filter, being cleaned as it passes through the soil into groundwater.
9. Install solar panels or a reflective roof.
Solar photovoltaic cells, also called Solar PV, convert sunlight into renewable energy, helping homes reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. Solar reduces energy demand from non-renewable power plants, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and improves air quality. Solar panels also provide shade for buildings, sidewalks, and other public areas. Learn more about these innovative Smart Surfaces.
Not ready for solar on your roof? Consider lighter colored singles, metals or other roof materials which reflect light and keep your attic and home cooler. Dark colored shingles absorb the sunlight and raise temperatures in your home.
10. Upgrade your home’s insulation.
Most people think of staying warm in wintertime when they hear ‘insulation.’ The actual purpose is to prevent heat transfer, whether it is in or out. Insulation is just as important for keeping the heat out in summer as it is keeping the heat in during the winter. Manufactured homes tend to have less insulation and therefore can experience extreme temperatures all year round. To improve the insultation in the home, spray foam is recommended for areas already enclosed, such as walls or ceilings. Batt insulation, blown-in insulation and rigid foam insulation are commonly used instead of spray foam due to their lower initial cost but are less effective.
It is important to understand when to leave your home if it is too hot. The National Healthy Housing database on cooling centers offers places to go during extreme heatwaves nationwide. Younger and older family members, individuals with certain medical conditions, or on certain medications and those who have mobility issues are especially susceptible. Know the signs of heat-related illness so you can treat heat stroke before it progresses to heat exhaustion and requires emergency care.
Blog last updated: July 16, 2024
