How To Keep Your Home Cool in the Summer
It’s no secret that summers in Florida are brutally hot. When temperatures are creeping up towards the triple-digits, keeping your home cool and comfortable can be a challenge, particularly if you live in an older home that doesn’t have the best ventilation.
Don’t worry, though, you’re not doomed to suffer all summer long! These quick tips will help you maintain a comfortable home while also keeping your summertime energy costs in check.
1. Close the Blinds
Direct sunlight streaming through the windows can significantly increase the temperature in your home. Minimize the impact by keeping your blinds or curtains closed, at least during the sunniest part of the day.
2. Seal Cracks and Crevices
Even the smallest cracks and crevices can allow air conditioning to leak out. Taking the time to seal spaces around your doors and windows with caulk and weather stripping will make a major difference. This can also help keep moisture from entering your home, which will lower humidity and improve your indoor air quality.
3. Insulate Your Attic
Even if your attic has insulation, if it’s been a while, you may benefit from adding some more. This will help keep the cool air inside and prevent outdoor heat from coming in. Insulation materials are available in different R-values, which are an indication of their thermal resistance. In Florida, you’ll want to look for insulation that falls in the R30 to R60 range.
4. Set Your Fans Correctly
If you don’t already have ceiling fans in your home, consider installing some. If you do, you’ll want to make sure they are set correctly. You’ll find a small switch on your fan motor, which will make the fan blades spin either clockwise or counterclockwise. Typically, you’ll want the blades to spin counterclockwise in the summer so they will push air down and create a cool breeze.
5. Keep Indoor Doors Open
If your home doesn’t already have an open floorplan, you may be surprised by how much of an impact you can make by simply opening your interior doors. This will let air flow from room to room, helping to keep the entire house cool.
6. Replace Your Interior Lighting
If you have a lot of incandescent bulbs in your home, you might be surprised by how much heat they’re generating. In fact, according to EnergyStar, these bulbs release 90% of their energy as heat. Switching to energy-efficient LED lighting will cost you less over the long term and help keep your home cool.
7. Cook Wisely
When temperatures start to soar, use your oven sparingly. Instead, get outdoors and grill! From burgers and brats to pizza, there are plenty of fun meals you can cook without heating up your home.
8. Keep Up with Your AC Maintenance
Summers in Florida are hard on your AC system, making it critical to keep up with your maintenance. Not only can this help you avoid potentially expensive AC repairs, but it can also ensure your system runs efficiently, lower your energy costs, and keep your home cool and comfortable. Contact us today to learn more about our AC maintenance services!
Need Air Conditioning Maintenance? Talk to your air conditioning repair experts at Airrific Air Conditioning & Heating today! Call (941) 371-3355.
