Summers are hot. And to cool off your body, it’s normal to consider cranking your AC or moving closer to the most powerful fan in your home, which, although effective, can prove costly and balloon your monthly energy expenditure. Interestingly, you can keep your apartment cool this summer without relying on a central cooling system.
Here are eight ways to keep an apartment cool in summer:
- Shut all unused doors.
- Close all the blinds.
- Invest in blackout curtains.
- Adjust your ceiling fan settings.
- Switch to energy-efficient bulbs.
- Change your sheets and sleep low.
- Avoid heat-producing kitchen appliances.
- Invest in portable fans.
This article will discuss some tips you can use to make your apartment cooler during the summer. We’ll also discuss some adjustments you can make to your home to keep it cooler.
And when necessary, I will provide recommendations of products you can use.
1. Shut All Unused Doors
Keeping your home cool depends on how you maximize your airflow. Of course, while you may not know it, there’s always air flowing in your apartment. You can maximize the airflow in your spaces by closing or opening your rooms appropriately.
Create a natural flow of air within the rooms you use often. When your fans or AC are on, close the doors leading to the rooms you rarely use.
You can open your living room, bathroom, and bedroom doors. These are areas you dearly need and allowing unrestricted airflow will keep these rooms more aerated and cool.
Read: How To Keep A House Cool In Summer Naturally?
2. Close All Your Blinds
This tip sounds pretty pedestrian. Yet, it’s arguably one of the most vital tips you can use to keep your home cool in the summer. Notably, allowing sunlight into your spaces will increase the heat in your home.
Close your windows when the temperature outdoors is hottest to avoid allowing in unnecessary heat.
Independent studies indicate that it’s hottest between 2 pm to 3 pm. Although the sun’s intensity constantly decreases during these hours, the earth expels heat soaked up during the day.
You can close your blinds and curtains from around noon to late evening. Doing this will reliably keep your home cooler.
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Read: How To Cool A Room With No Windows?
3. Invest in Blackout Curtains
Closing your curtains will help you keep your rooms cooler. But not all types of curtains will have the same effect. Why not invest in curtains that’ll reliably block out light from getting into your spaces?
Blackout curtains are certainly the type of curtains you’ll need due to their reliable insulation properties. They’ll completely block sunlight from entering your spaces, making the rooms they’re installed in a lot cooler and comfortable, especially on those sunny, hot afternoons.
According to consumer reports, blackout curtains with white backings can reduce heat gain by nearly 33%. Besides, they can reduce your energy consumption by about 7%, which is remarkable.
Notable blackout curtains that I can recommend from Amazon.com include:
- H. VERSAILTEX Linen Blackout Curtains: Do you think that all blackout shades should be dull and wintry? The H. VERSAILTEX Linen Blackout Curtains aren’t your ordinary blackout blinds. These linen curtains feature elegant texture and give your home an airy vibe. Yet, you can count on these curtains to be exclusively functional in blocking sunlight and UV rays.
- NICETOWN Blackout Curtain Blinds: If your windows are relatively shorter, the NICETOWN Black Blackout Curtain Blinds will be a good option. The 63-inch-long (160 cm) black blackout blinds will reliably block sunlight and make your rooms cooler. They’re also for anyone seeking to darken their bedrooms for a better nap and keeping the sun glare off their television. Moreover, they’re an affordable option.
- Amazon Basics Blackout Window Curtains: The versatile Amazon Basics Room Darkening Blackout Window Curtains are also good options for making your home cooler. They come in pairs and will also come in handy in blocking UV rays, ensuring privacy, and reducing outside noise. These polyester curtains are incredible for all your needs.
Read: Can A Mini Split Cool A Whole House?
4. Adjust Your Ceiling Fan Settings
You may never know that your ceiling fans are a great resource during summer. Notably, if your apartment has fans, you should realize by now that ceiling fans require seasonal adjustments.
So if you had set your ceiling fan direction to clockwise during the winter, you’d probably need to change the settings to counterclockwise during summertime to create a downdraft for that much-needed cooling effect.
Adjusting your ceiling fan blades to rotate counterclockwise will create a stronger breeze to cool down your home.
Besides changing the direction, you can also increase the speed of your fans. Avoid setting your ceiling fan at maximum speeds not unless the room is poorly ventilated or there’s a genuine need.
5. Switch to Energy-Efficient Bulbs
Incandescent lights add a substantial amount of heat to your spaces. And if you ever sought a reason to make the big switch from incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), this is your opportunity.
Incandescent bulbs waste up to 90% of their energy on the heat they produce. Replacing them with CFLs will make a big difference in keeping your home cooler and comfortable. Besides, they’ll help you save incredibly on power bills.
Some top-quality energy-efficient bulbs you can consider this summer include:
- GE Relax Light Bulbs: If you’re looking for an LED light to help you achieve your cooling goals and cut down your energy bills, the GE Relax 8-Pack Dimmable A19 LED Light is perfect. These dimmable LED lights pack incredible ambiance, coziness, and an excellent environment. They’re durable and could last for up to 13 years.
- Philips CFL Light Bulbs: Also sold on Amazon.com are the powerful Philips Indoor CFL Light Bulbs. This bulb is highly energy-efficient and eco-friendly. At 23 watts, this spiral bulb produces light equivalent to 100-watt incandescent lamps. More light in your spaces, less heat, and low energy consumption are advantages you can enjoy.
Read: What Is The Most Efficient Heating And Cooling System
6. Change Your Sheets and Sleep Low
Swapping your sheets will freshen up your room—that’s pretty obvious. However, did you know that seasonally switching your bedding also goes a great way toward making your room cool?
Although fleece blankets and flannel sheets will go a long way in insulating your room, summer is the right time for you to swap them for cotton bedding. Cotton sheets are more breathable and will help you stay cooler.
You can complement cotton sheets with a pair of buckwheat pillows. Notably, buckwheat hulls naturally have air spaces between them. This feature ensures that they don’t hold onto the body heat like conventional pillows.
Apart from swapping your bedsheets, you may also consider lowering your sleeping position. Choosing the basement or hitting the downstairs couch are alternative options. You can also put your mattress on the floor, which will make you feel cooler and more relaxed.
7. Avoid Heat-Producing Kitchen Appliances
The last thing you want to do during summer is to produce more heat in your home. You’ll certainly need to stay away from your ovens and stoves, as these will emit more heat, effectively making the room hotter.
You can try out outdoor grilling whenever necessary. But if you must use your ovens and stoves, please wait until temperatures are cooler and more conducive for indoor cooking.
Read: Why Heat Pump Heats But Does Not Cool?
8. Invest in Portable Fans
Finally, portable fans blowing air around you will help make your environment cooler. You can opt for battery-powered or electricity-powered portable fans.
Rather than running a central cooling system, you can use portable fans in specific rooms, particularly the most commonly used rooms.
Among the best portable fans you can find at Amazon.com include:
- Amazon Basics Air Circulator: If you’ve already decided to invest in a portable fan, the Amazon Basics 3-Speed Small Room Air Circulator is an incredible option. The 7-inch air circulator allows for 3-speed adjustments to help you stay comfortable wherever you take it. You can use it in your bedroom, dining room, or living room to help cool down your spaces.
- SkyGenius Mini Desk Fan: An exciting aspect of a battery-powered fan is its versatility. You can carry your portable fan to any room, whether or not you have a power outlet– and you get just that with the SkyGenius Clip On Mini Desk Fan. This incredibly lightweight fan features 360 degrees of vertical rotation and powerful rechargeable batteries.
Conclusion
The above tips will help you control your apartment temperature this summer. While most of them don’t need any notable investments, even those you may need to invest in will help you cut down your energy expenses considerably.
You may also consider opening your windows at night, adding indoor plants, or insulating your home, as these too will help you combat the sweltering summer heat.