The Buffy Breeze Sheets and Duvet Cover are made of eucalyptus and feel like a cross between silk and cotton. The lightweight material is temperature regulating and absorbs moisture to provide a cool and dry experience. The set is available in dozens of colors. If you prefer bamboo, the Cariloha Retreat Bamboo Sheets are softer than silk, and designed to keep you 3 degrees cooler than non-bamboo materials. The sheets also have odor and allergy-resistant properties to stay fresher for longer. Color choices include oasis green, white, laguna blue, black sand, and coastal gray.
Warmer-than-average heat has been the norm this year. In fact, this summer is predicted to be one of the hottest in U.S. history, according to data from The Weather Channel. Trying to keep your home comfortably cool can lead to increased energy costs.
“Temperatures can exceed 150 degrees in attics where air handlers and furnaces are sometimes located, and the temperatures outdoors can go above 100 degrees mid-summer,” warns Micah Sherman, virtual HVAC expert at Frontdoor. And when temperatures rise to these extremes, it makes your HVAC system work harder. However, there are several ways to keep your home cooler in the summer — and some of them can also lower your cooling costs.
Prioritize Insulation
While you may normally associate insulation with winter, extreme heat is another time to consider its importance. “Insulation helps to stabilize temperatures throughout your home, prevent structural damage to the foundation that can be caused by excess heat and moisture, and it helps to prolong the life of your HVAC system,” explains Michael DiMartino, senior vice president of installations at Power Home Remodeling. Heat rises, and he tells me that in a poorly insulated attic, all of that heat (which comes through the roof) is trapped in the attic and fights against the cooled air below. In a second story home, you may notice the top floor is often hotter.
“Without proper ventilation, an unfinished attic can be privy to condensation, which can cause mold and other unwanted growth in the attic that can lead to longer term structural damage,” DiMartino says. “Radiant barriers are used to reflect radiant heat and reduce hot air transference — they are two-sided foil-based materials: think of a mirror that’s reflecting heat away.”
DiMartino explains that insulation creates space or air pockets between two layers of material. “Adding rafter vents, which are also known as baffles, can help direct fresh air in the attic, which keeps a space between the insulation and the roof decking,” he says. This provides an area for air to flow from exterior soffit vents up into the attic.
Insulate With Landscaping
Your attic isn’t the only place where insulation can help to keep the home cool. “Planting trees, shrubbery, and other consciously placed landscaping around your home can block the sun’s rays, and provide much needed shade in the summer,” says Katie Dills, brand president of The Cleaning Authority. She tells me that this type of insulation can also assist with blocking wind in colder months.
Address Air Leaks
Your HVAC is working hard to cool your home, but air leaks — for example, gaps around your windows and doors — can allow that cool air to escape. Air can even escape from gaps around your dryer vent. Dills recommends checking for cracks or openings along the panes of your windows and doors. “Seal any air leaks by caulking or weather-stripping,” she says.
Depending on the condition of your windows, it may be time for an upgrade. “Energy-efficient windows are made from vinyl or synthetic substances and typically include two panes of glass with a Low-E coating, an insulated frame, and Argon Gas — all designed to keep your air conditioning inside and hot air out,” DiMartino says, adding that these types of windows also provide better reflection from the sunlight.
He recommends hiring a professional to conduct a pressurization test to pinpoint specific areas in your home that are enabling air leakage. “If air is escaping through your doorways and you can’t replace them, you can add weatherstripping, caulk, or even put down a simple door sweep or towel to close any gaps.”
To inspect for air leaks on your own, DiMartino shares his at-home tricks:
- Trust your senses: Do you feel hot air at your feet or around the frame?
- Find a flashlight: Do you see pockets of light shining through into the home where it shouldn’t?
- Use a candle or a lighter: Is the flame flickering along the sides of a door or window?
Invest In A Smart Thermostat
Another way to lower energy costs and increase the home’s comfort level is by investing in a smart thermostat. According to Michael Green, chief operations officer at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, unlike traditional thermostats, smart thermostats can be programmed to cool areas of the home at certain times — like when you’re coming home from work. “Instead of constantly readjusting the AC levels, you can set the thermostat to turn on, off, or change the temperature ahead of time.” And Green tells me that a smart thermostat can also detect when no one is at home and scale back the HVAC system to run in energy-saving mode.
Also, since a smart thermostat can decrease the amount of time the HVAC runs needlessly, he says it can extend the HVAC’s lifespan. “Smart thermostats have WiFi capability and the ability to take weather patterns into account when adjusting the temperature — and some types let you sync to your smartphone so you can change the temperature while on vacation.” In addition, Green says smart thermostats use artificial intelligence to learn your cooling and heating habits to provide a recommended schedule that will meet your wants and needs.
Clean Your Vents
To help your HVAC perform at maximum efficiency, make sure the airflow from your returns and vents is unobstructed. Green recommends cleaning these vents on a routine basis to remove dust and other debris that can make the HVAC unit run harder and longer. “A flexible duster or the wand attachment on your vacuum should make this an easy job, and it can cut down on the amount of dust blowing through your home to improve your indoor air quality,” he explains, noting that you should also make sure that none of your floor vents are blocked by furniture or other objects.
Change Your AC Filter
The type of filter you have will determine how often it needs to be changed. “Most disposable filters are designed to last for one month, while others are designed to last for up to three months — but they can still clog up early due to other factors in your home,” Green says. He recommends keeping an eye on the filter so you can regularly change it as needed. “When the AC filter becomes clogged with dust, dirt, pet hair and other particles, it reduces airflow to your system, forcing it to work harder,” Green explains. This decreases the system’s energy efficiency, which drives up your energy bills and Green says it also wears out AC components faster.
Clean Your Condenser Unit
The condenser unit is the box-shaped outdoor portion of your HVAC. Green says cleaning it in the summer is essential since there’s an increase in humidity this time of year, which can cause mold and mildew. “Your AC system is responsible for pulling excess moisture out of the air and when your air conditioner is not performing at its best, your whole house can get damp.” And a damp house is problematic for several reasons. “This can cause dry goods to spoil, mildew to appear on the walls, ceilings, or even on your clothes, and mold to spread throughout your house,” Green explains. He recommends draining the pan below the condenser, clearing all lines to allow excess water pulled from the air to drain out. But if you aren’t familiar with this process, call an HVAC technician for assistance.
Integrate Fans
Ceiling fans can be both decorative and functional. “The wind chill effect that ceiling fans create helps you feel comfortable without needing to adjust the thermostat, which is also a great strategy for cutting down on energy costs,” Green explains. “Reverse the motor to move the blades in a counterclockwise rotation to create a breeze effect in the summer,” he recommends. According to Alabama Power, when your ceiling fan is rotating counterclockwise, the room can feel 3 to 4 degrees cooler, so you can set the thermostat higher.
Other types of fans, from pedestal to tower to desk models, can also keep you cooler. But keep in mind that fans cool you, they don’t cool the room, so be sure to turn them off when you leave the room.
Decorate Your Windows
Window coverings are another home component that’s both decorative and functional. DiMartino tells me that drapes, curtains, and blinds can add insulation to your home. “Not only do window coverings add to the aesthetic of your home’s design and protect your privacy, but they help keep air — like your cold air conditioning — from escaping out through your windows.” And, if your windows receive a lot of natural sunlight, he notes that window coverings help protect the interior of your home from UV rays. “And UV rays not only heat up your home, but can cause damage, like fading, to your furniture and other belongings,” he says.
Stop Adjusting Your Thermostat
A smart thermostat can control the HVAC on its own. However, if you have a regular thermostat, resist the urge to continuously adjust it. “Turning your AC way down does not make it cool any faster — whether you turn your thermostat down 2 degrees or 20 degrees, your AC will cool your home down at the same speed,” explains Sherman. He also advises against turning the AC off completely when you leave home. “If so, it’s going to take longer to get the home back to the desired temperature,” he explains.
Run Hot Appliances Later — Or Not At All
Cooking food in your oven during the hottest part of the day will just add more heat to your home. Consider using the oven at night — and prepare several meals at one time so you won’t have to use the oven every day. Another option is to eat more salads and sandwiches to avoid using the oven. Yet another option is to use an air fryer, which doesn’t generate as much heat, and cooks much faster than an oven.
In addition, if you refrain from using your clothes dryer and dishwasher during the day, your home will stay cooler.
These are some of the items that can assist you in keeping your home cool in the summer.
Smart Thermostat
The Nest Learning Thermostat adapts to your preferences and programs itself. The smart thermostat also monitors your HVAC and sends an alert when something is amiss. The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced is designed to help you save up to 26% on heating and cooling costs, and also it doubles as a security base and keypad.
Fan
The Exhale Bladeless Ceiling Fan has a brushless DC motor and typhoon wind vanes that produce an airflow that exceeds 4,000 CFM. The bladeless design uses spinning discs, and the low-profile fan includes a built-in LED dimmable light and remote control. Another option is the Lowe’s Harbor Breeze Beach Creek 44-inch Ceiling Fan, which can be mounted flush, but it also includes a 6-inch down rod. The fan has an integrated LED light kit and white glass shade. The remote control lets you control both the fan speed and light.
If you prefer tower fans, you can feel the breeze from this Lasko Pinnacle 40” Tower Fan from 50 feet away. It also has an activated carbon charcoal filter for trapping dust and hair, while neutralizing odors. The Coway Airmega Aim is a 2-in-1 air purifier and fan. It uses a 3-in-1 filter that includes a vacuumable pre-filter, True HEPA 13 filter, and deodorization filter. The multi-angle fan oscillates up to 80 degrees, and can tilt vertically from -15 degrees to 90 degrees.
Portable Or Window Air Conditioner
This Whynter 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner can cover up to 500 sq. ft, and also has a dehumidifier. The dual hose appliance exhausts condensate up to 71 pints a day. Another option is the Whirlpool 10,000 BTU Window Air Conditioner and Dehumidifier, which can cool rooms up to 450 sq. ft. It has a 3-speed fan, and a programmable timer.
Neck Fan
A unique choice to keep you cool at home or on the go is this wearable Torras Coolify 2S Neck Fan, which has a 28-hour battery life. Since it can be worn around your neck, the fan can provide continuous cooling effects whether you’re stationary or moving around. The 3D air flow can cool your neck and face and has 3 speeds. There are onboard controls and you can also use the app and control via your smartphone. Color choices are starry black, and storm white.
Bedding With Cooling Properties
If you tend to get hot when sleeping, the Sleep Number DualTemp Layer allows you to sleep up to 35% cooler in the summer (and those who sleep cold can sleep up to 35% warmer in the winter). The layer can be used on the left or right side of the bed, and uses a remote control. The Elegear Cooling Comforter uses an Arc-Chill 3.0 tech fabric that absorbs body heat and is designed to reduce your body temperature by 4 degrees to 9 degrees. The comforter is available in a gradient blue and a gradient gray.
The Casper Foam Pillow with Snow Technology includes 4 HeatDelete bands and a cool-to-the-touch outer layer. The squishy pillow is designed to provide a cooler sleep experience, while also being supportive to your neck and spine. Casper’s Hyperlite Sheet Set and Duvet Cover is made of 100% Tencel Lyocell, and it’s light, breathable, and cooling. The temperature-regulating bedding is available in indigo, gray, and white.
