Summer is the time when most of us look forward to spending time outside and enjoying the sunshine. However, with the rising temperature, you may have to spend most of your time indoors. In such a scenario, keeping your house cool becomes an important task.
Air conditioning may be a luxury, but it’s not always practical. They are also expensive to run, especially when you consider that most of us have to run them almost constantly for several months each year.
In the United States, air conditioning is used by about 80% of households. The average consumption per unit is about 3000-kilowatt hours (kWh) per month. This means the average family spends $300-$400 monthly on cooling costs alone.
The total cost of running an air conditioner can be anywhere from $300-$500 per month, depending on the size of your house and how often you use it. In addition to this price tag, there’s also the cost of installing an air conditioner in the first place. You’ll need to hire an HVAC technician to do this job for you, which can cost anywhere from $3-$5 per hour, depending on where you live (and how much experience your technician has).
In short: Air conditioning costs money!
So how to keep your house cool in the summer? Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered.
In this article, we’ve compiled several effective strategies you can employ to keep your house cool without air conditioning in summer. We’ll also help you in detecting Air leaks in your home so that you can relax and feel comfortable in summer.
Let’s take a look.
17 Tips On How To Keep House Cool Without AC In Summer
Keeping your house cool during the summer without relying on air conditioning can be a challenge, but there are several practical things you can do. Here are 17 tips on how to keep the house cool in summer without AC:
Close the windows and blinds.
We all know that summer can be uncomfortable without AC, but you can stay cool by keeping your house closed. By closing the windows and blinds, you’ll prevent hot air and cool down the inside temperature.
Open windows at night.
On the other hand, if you find yourself trapped in a stuffy home during the day, open your windows at night to let out some of that hot air! The cooler air outside will help keep your home cool for longer periods of time than just opening it for a few minutes in the morning or evening would do.
Use natural ventilation.
A lot of people don’t realize that they can use natural ventilation in their homes to keep them cool. Open up the windows and let the breeze blow through your house. Also, if you have a fan or two, place them near the windows so that they will suck out any hot air from the inside and bring in cooler air from the outside. This is especially helpful if you live in a hot climate where there is a lot of wind and rain (because then all those breezes will be even colder).
Create a cross-breeze.
If opening all of your windows isn’t an option (maybe there’s a lot of noise outside), try creating a cross-breeze with fans in different rooms of the house. You can also use portable fans to direct airflow where it needs to go around furniture or other obstructions like curtains that might be blocking airflow through open windows/doors (this works best if there are no pets around).
Install window coverings.
Window coverings can block up to 80% of the sun’s heat from entering your home. They can also help keep out noise from outside, making it easier for you to rest or relax inside.
Optimize ceiling fans.
Many homes in the US have ceiling fans, but they’re often not well-maintained or optimized for optimal cooling power. Make sure your ceiling fans are set to rotate counterclockwise during summer months to create a cooling breeze.
Use portable fans.
Portable fans are an excellent way to keep cool while staying inside your home. All you need is one or two fans; they’ll keep your entire room fresh and cool. Just make sure that the exhaust ports on them aren’t facing directly into anything that could catch on fire or get damaged by moisture!
Use natural cooling methods.
It’s important to use natural cooling methods before turning on the AC. Open windows and doors during milder parts of the day, and turn on fans if possible. You may also want to consider using ceiling fans in rooms with high ceilings, which can help circulate air throughout your home.
Create DIY air conditioners.
All it takes is an old sock, a few ice cubes, and some water—and presto! You’ve got yourself an air conditioner that costs basically nothing! Just fill up the sock with ice cubes and pour water into it until it’s about half full; then hang it from a hook outside where there’s good airflow (like over your porch). It might not be as powerful as what you’d get from a store-bought AC unit, but it will help keep temperatures down inside your house while also keeping bugs out of your hair!
Cook outdoors or use a slow cooker.
Cooking indoors can make your home extremely hot, especially if you’re trying to cook with a gas stove or oven. It’s best to cook outdoors or use a slow cooker instead. You’ll also save money on your electric bill because cooking with an oven uses more electricity than other appliances.
Insulate your home.
Insulation is one of the easiest ways to keep your house cool without AC in summer. You can do this by adding insulation inside your walls and attic, but this might not be possible if you live in an apartment building. If that’s the case, try using curtains or blinds instead of letting windows stay open all day long!
Use exhaust fans.
Exhaust fans are your best friend when it comes to keeping your house cool in summer. They pull hot air out of your house, which means you won’t have to pay for expensive cooling. Plus, they help keep mold and mildew down by evaporating any moisture that might be lingering around your home.
Create shade.
If you don’t want to use an exhaust fan, you can still learn how to keep your house cool without AC by creating shade outside your windows with plants or curtains. You’ll also be able to save energy by blocking some of the sunlight coming through the glass, which can reduce the amount of energy needed for cooling inside the home.
Utilize cool surfaces.
The easiest way to keep your house cool is by using cool surfaces. If your home has concrete floors, consider laying down some rugs or mats to absorb some of that heat. If you don’t have concrete floors, just air out the rooms where people spend most of their time during the day.
Minimize appliance usage.
This is a no-brainer: turn off appliances like televisions and computers when they’re not in use! When possible, also try to avoid using appliances like dishwashers and washing machines during peak hours (like after lunch). The less electricity used in your home at any moment, the better—and that means less heat!
Reduce lighting heat.
Lighting is one of the biggest sources of heat in your home, so you want to make sure you’re using it wisely. Consider turning off the lights in rooms where you don’t need them—and even those that do need them, if they’re close to windows or doors that let in a lot of light from outside.
Stay hydrated.
Drinking lots of water will help you in keeping yourself hydrated and reduce the risk of overheating. If you’re feeling thirsty, drink water instead of anything else!
10 Pro Tips on Detecting Leaks in Your Home
You’re losing money!
The average home loses between 10 and 20 percent of its energy through air leakage in summer. That’s a lot of cash going down the drain. But how do you know if your home is suffering from this problem?
Here are 10 tips to help you detect air leaks in your home:
Conduct a visual inspection.
If you notice that your home is leaking hot air, then there’s probably an air leak somewhere in the house. To find it, open all your doors, windows, and other openings to let fresh air in. If you feel a draft and the temperature changes when you open certain doors or windows, there’s probably an issue with that opening.
Feel for drafts.
If you can’t tell where the draft is coming from by looking around the house, then try using your hands to feel for drafts. You can do this by holding one hand out in front of you while holding the other hand flat against the wall (with both hands touching each other). If a draft is coming from behind you, your flat hand should feel colder than your other hand because it’s being hit with cold air as it enters through an opening in the wall or ceiling above it.
Use a candle or incense stick.
Light the candle and leave it burning for about 15 minutes. If the flame is larger than usual, a draft might come from an open window or door. You can also try using incense sticks (they have a similar effect).
Conduct a smoke test.
Put two pieces of paper together with some tape in between them like a sandwich. Hold one piece of paper over the opening of a sink faucet or toilet bowl that’s draining water at full blast to create pressure behind it; then hold the other piece of paper over another sink faucet or toilet bowl that’s empty and fill it with smoke (from rubbing two sticks together). If there’s pressure behind one piece of paper but not behind the other, then there’s likely an air leak somewhere nearby!
Perform a door test.
The easiest way to find an air leak is by using a door test. Place your hand against the door frame as you open and close the door (make sure it’s closed!). If there’s an air leak in that area, it will cause a draft when you open or close the door. You can also do this with windows—just place one hand against each side of the window while opening and closing them (again with both closed).
Use a handheld thermal camera.
If all your doors are closed and still swinging outwards, you may have an air leak somewhere else in the house—like through walls or windows. You can use a handheld thermal camera to detect these leaks by pointing them at the suspected area and seeing if they show up as hot spots.
Check attic access points.
Checking attic access points is one of the easiest ways to find air leaks. You can do this by simply removing a few ceiling tiles in different areas of your home and looking for cracks or gaps around electrical outlets and light fixtures, as well as around light switches and doorways. If you see any openings larger than 1/8th of an inch wide, you’ve got an air leak!
Check weatherstripping.
If you’re hearing a whistling sound when the door or window is open, weatherstripping may be at fault. Make sure that all doors and windows are properly sealed with weatherstripping to prevent this type of noise.
Inspect ductwork.
If you’re not sure where to start looking for leaks in your home, start by inspecting the ductwork. Any holes or gaps in the ductwork can lead to significant energy loss and a higher utility bill. If you notice any issues with the ducts in your home, call out a professional Air sealing expert immediately!
Look for gaps in insulation.
Another way to identify air leaks is by looking for gaps in insulation around doors and windows. Gaps like these let cold air seep into your home during the winter months and warm air escape during summertime heat waves—both of which will cause your HVAC system to work harder than it needs to do so that you’re comfortable at all times throughout the year. So if you notice any gaps in insulation around doors or windows, call out a professional air sealing expert in Doylestown, PA, immediately!
Need Help? It’s Time to Call in Professionals for Air Sealing Solution in Doylestown!
Doylestown is a great place to live. It’s full of friendly people, beautiful scenery, and great restaurants. But one thing that can be hard to find here is affordable, quality air sealing solutions when you have air leaks in your home.
And you are not alone. More than half of all Americans spend more than 90% of their time indoors, and this means that the air inside our homes can easily become polluted. It’s estimated that up to 50% of all respiratory problems are caused by poor indoor air quality.
That’s where CDO Heating and Air Inc. comes in! We offer reliable air-sealing solutions that will help you keep your home warm and comfortable all summer without breaking the bank.
At CDO Heating and Air Inc., we have been providing high-quality air-sealing solutions for all types of homes for over 25 years now. We have a team of highly trained HVAC professionals who will work with you to find the best solution for your needs. Whether you’re looking for something temporary or permanent, we have the perfect solution for you.
When you call us for Air Sealing Services in Doylestown, you can expect:
- Experienced technicians who know how to keep your system running smoothly
- A free estimate from a licensed professional
- Same-day service available if needed
- Detailed project plans
- A wide range of options to fit your budget
- A comprehensive, honest assessment of what’s wrong with your home’s air sealing system and how we can fix it for you
So, if you live in Doylestown and are looking for high-quality air-sealing solutions, call us today at (267) 481-7787!