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Strategies for Keeping Your House Cooler This Summer

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As temperatures rise, keeping your home cool and comfortable can seem like an insurmountable obstacle. Even with the air conditioner, summer temperatures can impact your quality of sleep, your comfort level while cooking and getting ready for work, and most significantly your monthly energy bill.

Here are a few simple strategies to put into use that can make a big difference on the indoor temperature in your home.

Buffer your home from the heat:

  • Keep your blinds closed.
    Up to 30 percent of unwanted heat comes from your windows, and utilizing shades and curtains can save you as much as 7% on your bills while lowering indoor temperatures by up to 20 degrees.
  • Be smart about your doors.
    Closing off rooms will prevent the cool air from permeating these areas during the hottest part of the day. You’ll want to capitalize on the cooler night hours, too, letting air flow naturally through your home.
  • Set your ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise.
    Whether you know it or not, your ceiling fan needs to be adjusted seasonally. Set counter-clockwise in the summer at a higher speed, the fan’s airflow will create a wind-chill breeze effect that will make you and your guests “feel” cooler.
  • Start grilling.
    Using your oven or stove in the summer will make your house hotter. If it already feels like 100+ degrees in your home, the last thing you want to do is turn on a 400-degree oven.
  • Make a few long-term improvements.
    Insulated window films, for example, are a smart purchase as they work similarly to blinds. And additions like awnings and planted trees or vines on or in front of light-facing windows will shield your home from the sun’s rays, reduce the amount of heat your home absorbs and make your investment nothing but worthwhile.

Enjoy these summer time activities outside the home:

  • Visit your favorite museum
  • Check out books from the local library
  • See a movie
  • If you don’t have a pool, visit a one at your favorite local hotel.
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