The summer months bring hot days and warmer nights. Many of us will be tempted to run the AC at full blast just to stay comfortable amidst the heat and humidity. But AC units use a lot of energy and can drive your energy bills through the roof if you are not very careful.
Air conditioning is practically a necessity nowadays, which is why you are probably looking for central air-conditioning units in Utah. But there are cheaper and more eco-friendly ways to keep you and your home cool during the hot summer months.
1. Keep the open windows
Most people close the doors and windows at the first sign of heat, and to crank up the thermostat. After all, we want to keep the warm air from coming in. But natural airflow is essential to your home’s ventilation. How else would you feel the breeze inside your home?
The wind is a free and natural way to keep your home cool. Check your home to maximize your wind flow. See where the breezes tend to blow and what obstructions are there that prevent them from coming into your rooms and hallways. If possible, install a wind vane to take advantage of wind movement.
2. Use a fan
Electric fans create breezes where natural wind cannot enter. They also use less power compared to AC units. If properly positioned, a ceiling fan moves the air in the room, and pulls warmer air upwards, away from people.
Get a fan that can spin in both directions. Experiment with different settings: some directions push hot air away while others can push it downward, which you can then use during the winter months.
3. Get a swamp cooler
A swamp cooler, also known as an evaporative cooler, is a great way to keep your place cool. However, they can only be used in places with low humidity. They use as little as a quarter of an AC unit’s power requirements and do not have harmful CFCs, unlike other cooling machines.
4. Maximize shade
While keeping your home open contributes to better airflow, it might be better to keep some areas closed, especially during the daytime. For instance, areas that are in direct contact with sunshine should be closed or covered to keep the heat from coming in. Sealing gaps in doors and windows also prevents the warm air from leaking into your home.
5. Wear and use light colors
People wear white shirts to keep themselves cooler, as black shirts tend to trap more heat. The same concept applies to furniture and paint. Lighter colors reflect heat and ultraviolet rays, while darker colors absorb them. If you want to keep your home cool, use lighter shades of paint instead of dark ones. Even a white roof can keep your home cool better.
Even without an AC unit, you can keep your home cool and comfortable with these five techniques. Not only do they lower your bills, but they are also eco-friendly and sustainable. A changing climate threatens to make our future warmer, which is why it is essential to implement green solutions for cooling.