Summer’s heat is almost here! Want to know how to cool down a room without using air conditioning? We’ve got some ingenious, money-saving tips for reducing your energy bill while improving your comfort level.
But first, a little trivia.
Did you know that air conditioners are partly responsible for the success of the movie industry? It’s true! Back in the 1920s, before AC was commonplace in homes, offices, and stores, some enterprising movie theater owners installed it as a way to entice patrons.
People flocked to the movies — as much to spend an hour or two in cool comfort as to see the flick.
A few years later, the Great Depression changed life as most people knew it. Going to the movies became a relatively inexpensive way to escape both reality and the stifling summer heat.
Today, we still associate summer time with box office blockbusters, despite the fact that many of us have air conditioners in our homes — and that movie tickets now take a proportionately greater toll on our pocketbooks!
Now, want to know how best to cool down a room to keep your house a pleasant temp? Read on!
Shut Out the Sun
You might think that simply by being indoors, you’re safe from the heat of the sun. Not so. The sun’s rays come right on in through your windows.
That’s why you should close all your curtains and blinds during the hottest midday hours. Solar screens and window film will also do the trick.
Regardless of which solution you use, this is an easy way to keep cool.
A Good Excuse to Grill
When the mercury rises, most of us want to eat lighter, fresher fare — or lose our appetite altogether. Giving your oven a few months off will help not just the kitchen, but the whole house to be more comfortable.
A backyard BBQ grill can shoulder the load, or you can use the microwave for heating up quick meals.
Don’t forget about your crockpot! You might not feel like eating a heavy stew or chili, but the slow cooker is more versatile than you might realize. Use it to bake potatoes, make tender shredded pork or chicken for tacos, or even whip up a batch of creamy mac and cheese for the kiddos.
Channel Your Inner Pioneer
Have a yard? Rig up a clothesline and dry your clothes the old-fashioned way.
Most people realize that a hot oven will impact the indoor air temp, but don’t think of clothes dryers the same way. But they are heat multiplier, so use them as little as possible in summer.
Put Yourself on Ice
Chances are you have a few ice packs tucked away in the back of your freezer behind the fish sticks and the ice cream sandwiches. Dig ’em out and press ’em into service!
Ice packs aren’t just for injuries anymore. Hold one against the back of your neck for a near-instant sensation of relief from the heat. Tuck a couple into your bed a few minutes before going to sleep for cool and inviting sheets.
Check for Leaky Doors and Windows
Maybe you associate weather stripping, or even replacing leaky doors and windows, with fall and winter. But just as older, single-pane windows can let the chill in and the heat out in colder months, they can also do the opposite in summertime.
If you’re in the market for new windows or an upgraded door, look for energy efficient ones. It won’t be long before they pay for themselves, thanks to lower energy bills.
Become a Fan-atic
Did you pack away your old electric fans when you moved to a home with central air conditioning? Time to bring them back. Fans take up much less energy than AC, either centralized or window units. Before lowering the temperature of the whole house, see if a fan will suffice.
Fans also help to circulate cool air if you do have the AC on and might let you run it a few degrees higher than you normally would.
Remember that fans aren’t just for providing a breeze; put a box fan backward in the window to draw the hot air out of your room.
Similarly, turn the direction of your ceiling fan to counterclockwise. This will lift the hot air up toward the ceiling and leave you feeling cooler.
Practice Proper Maintenance
One of the single best ways to ensure that your HVAC system is running as efficiently as possible is to service it regularly. Have the professionals give it a thorough inspection and tune-up twice a year, around the time in spring when you switch from heat to AC and then vice versa in the fall.
During the summer months when your system sees the most use, clean or replace the filters regularly. Once a month should be sufficient. When an AC unit has to work harder to do its job because of dirty or clogged filters, both your comfort level and your budget will notice.
Summertime Self Care
Tempted to jump into a cold shower to cool off when you’re hot and sweaty? Not so fast. Experts say that the sensation of feeling hot comes from your core temperature, not your skin’s temperature.
A cold shower (along with drinking iced beverages or eating ice cream) will actually raise your core temperature.
Instead, stick with warm water when you scrub down. After the shower — or anytime you’re feeling sticky and uncomfortably warm — slather your skin with a body lotion that you’ve stored in the refrigerator.
Final Thoughts on How to Cool Down a Room
It’s no coincidence that many of these tips will help you save big on energy bills in addition to reducing wear and tear on your HVAC system. Knowing how to cool down a room without relying on air conditioning is the knowledge you’ll be grateful for, come summertime.
Is your HVAC system overworked, inefficient, or otherwise not up to snuff? Contact My Guys today! With over 40 years of experience in HVAC installation, maintenance, and repair, we’ll keep your system in good working order!
