When it comes to a cool house comes, in the summer can make that a real challenge. We have this sea breeze, but man is it steamy here! Unfortunately
for our budget (and the environment), the number one way to stay cool
around these parts will always be the air conditioning, A / C has saved
the sanity of many.
But there are other ways to keep your house cool in summer. You can plant shade trees around the house, although obviously that a long-term plan. You should also try to shade your east, south and west window (the one where the sun), which have already been made for you, if your home has overhangs on these windows. Since you can not rebuild your house if it is, just be sure you have blinds or curtains on these windows, and keep it off during the hot hours of the day pulled.
In fact, although it seems unusual, if you want to keep a cool house, summer is the time when you should just generally keep the house closed up during the day. If you are open with a window air conditioner, you're just pulling in hot air and sending your cool (expensive) air from the window. Wait until night out to open the windows and air things. If you do not have A / C, though, the house can get stuffy when you try that - in this case, go ahead and open this window. Open the doors and windows of the room in the hallway can drag breezes, as all the windows that are directly or close to directly open opposite each other, combine that with some strategically placed fans and you can use a airy, comfortable home significant cross to have all but the muggiest days. If you have not already look at ceiling fans - they are phenomenal to distribute air in a room.
But back to the air conditioner. Most of us who have the opportunity to just take the A / C off and call it a day, but there are still things you can do to make the air conditioning can make as efficiently as possible, saving money and energy. First, seal the air ducts to ensure air can not escape, and insulate the ducts that run through uninsulated parts of the home such as basements and attics. Then you should filter must always be clean and clear - just cleaning them should keep out of there monthly dust and other cloggers. While the temptation is great, the A / C crank, try it with a comfortable 78 or so to keep and use these ceiling fans to increase cooling.
Another cool house, summer-wise tip? Try shading, or isolate your air conditioner, especially if it is a room unit. Even if it does not consider trees outside the room where you have installed the device to hang an awning. Awnings are a great way to shade windows anyway, even if you are not on a room A / C unit, because they are easy to install and bottom. Keep expanded during the heat and roll it back in the winter when you might need some of this sun to heat a room....