Is your air conditioner working overtime trying to keep your house cool in the summer?

Your AC unit doesn’t need to be the only tool in your arsenal to keep your home cooler. From keeping your blinds closed to planting some shade outside your house, we have some tips to help you beat the summer heat.

RetroFoam of Michigan has more than 20 years of experience insulating thousands of homes across the lower peninsula. While we know foam insulation will create the air barrier you need to keep your home cool in the summer, we also know some tricks outside of using your AC unit.

Here is a list of 10 tips to keep your home cool this summer.

Ways to Keep Your Home Cool in the Summer

From closing your window blinds to planting some shade, here are some tips to keep your home cool this summer.

Keep Your Blinds and Curtains Closed

Up to 30 percent of the heat from outside creeps into your home through your windows, according to the Huffington Post.

If you close the blinds in your home, it can save you money on your monthly electric bill and lower the temperature by up to 20 degrees.

Close Off Rooms in the House that Aren't Frequently Used

Closing off certain rooms in your home that aren’t frequently used can prevent cool air from entering them during the hottest part of the day.

Remember to turn off vents in these rooms as well if you are using your AC unit to cool the house.

Put a Bowl of Ice in Front of a Fan

This might sound crazy, but it works.

Put a bowl of ice, or something else cold like ice packs, in front of your fan. As the air from the fan blows over the ice, you will get a blast of extra-chilled air.

Change Out the Sheets on Your Bed

Switching out your sheets not only freshens up your bedroom but also can be a great way to keep cool.

Flannel sheets are great for the winter, but for the summer months, switch them up and use cotton sheets. Cotton breathes easier and stays cooler.

Set Your Ceiling Fans to Rotate Counter-Clockwise

You may not know this, but you should be changing the rotation of your ceiling fan seasonally.

Why, you ask? Because if you set it to rotate counter-clockwise in the summer at high speed, it will create a cool downward airflow and push the cool air down to the floor, according to Delmar Fans.

Vent the Hot Air Out of Your House

You can use the bathroom, laundry room, and stove vents in your home to get hot, humid air out of the house.

These fans will suck the hot air back outside where it belongs, helping to cool the house down and make it more comfortable, according to Common Sense Homesteading.

Plant Shade Outside Your Home

A tree doesn’t just grow overnight, but with a little bit of planning, you can get nice results that will not only make the outside of your home look nice but also keep it cooler.

A tree in full bloom can block more than 70 percent of solar radiation from entering your home, according to Common Sense Homesteading. Find plants and trees that will flourish in your neck of the woods and plant them in front of windows that get hit by the afternoon sun.

Avoid Cooking Indoors

It’s time to bust out that grill to avoid overheating your home by cooking outside.

If you think it’s already hot inside, don’t add to the discomfort by turning on a 400-degree oven. This will give you a great excuse to use your grill and outdoor furniture. 

Make Some Long-Term Improvements to Your Home

While there are some tricks to cooling off your home, some things will need to be upgraded in your house.

Better and more energy-efficient windows and doors can really help control the indoor temperature. If air is sneaking in around the windows and doors, then keeping your house comfortable can be very hard.

If you can’t afford to replace the windows and doors, using weather stripping around them can also help. 

Foam Insulation Creates a Much-Needed Air Barrier

If you want to keep the cool air, your AC unit creates inside, the best way to do this is with an air seal.

Foam insulation creates an air barrier that will keep the cold air inside and the summer heat out. The material also helps to maintain a constant, comfortable temperature throughout the home.

Keeping the Hot Summer Air Out

A hot and miserable home can take the fun right out of summer.

We hope you can use some of these tips to help you stay cool this summer. If you feel your insulation may not be doing the job, check out our checklist of 18 Signs and Symptoms it May be Time to Update Your Insulation.

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