Smart Home Cooling Tips
Close your blinds and curtains. Keeping your blinds closed during the day will reflect a surprising amount of heat radiating in through windows, especially during the time of day when the sun’s rays shine directly on your home. Also, closing curtains or shades facing south and west during the daytime, as well as choosing white window treatments, will help deflect even more heat.
Blinds and Shades Buying Guide
Shop Blinds and Window Treatments
Replace damaged weatherstripping and caulk. Resealing leaky windows and doors will insulate your home from the summer heat. To locate drafts, try holding a lit incense stick around weatherstripping to see if the smoke moves. Installing door sweeps will also help keep cool air in and protect your home from pests.
Change your light bulbs. Incandescent light bulbs waste energy and emit excess heat. Cool your home by switching to florescent or LED bulbs.
Which Light Bulb Should I Use?
Close interiors doors to any rooms you’re not using during the warmest part of the day. Open interior doors at night to let the cooler air flow freely.
Set your ceiling fan to spin counterclockwise. This will pull warmer air up towards the ceiling and force cooler air down, which can save significantly on your energy bill. If you haven’t installed ceiling fans in your home, they’re a great investment.
Use the right insulation. Insulations with a higher R-value are better for keeping heat out of your home.
Blown Insulation R Value Calculator
Plant trees. Planting trees in front of windows will not only beautify your lawn and provide refuge for wildlife, it also shades your home from the sun’s rays.
Shade Trees: Rate of Growth, Planting, Trimming and More
Install window awnings. This simple solution saves on air conditioning and allows you to better control how much light enters through windows. Plus awnings are available in a variety of styles to accentuate your home’s decor.
Cook outdoors. When the weather’s nice, it’s the perfect time to grill outside, instead of heating up your kitchen by turning on your oven.
Shop Grills and Outdoor Cooking
For more tips on home efficiency, including product buying guides, see Create an Energy-Efficient Home and Guides to Energy Efficiency at Home.