Now that the summer heat has made itself at home in Virginia, you're probably trying everything possible to keep cool. Whether that means leaving the comfort of your home when it's absolutely necessary or wearing the lightest articles of clothing possible, there really is no length we won't go to in order to beat the heat.
However, if your AC isn't performing at its best, or it's broken down entirely, you may find yourself sweating in your own home. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to cool down your living space to help you stay comfortable all summer long.
Get Your Fans Going
One of the biggest reasons your home can feel so hot and stuffy during the summer is because the air is stagnant. While it's good to close up any cracks and seals around your windows, doors, and other areas to keep the cold air in, that doesn't allow for too much airflow, making the air feel stiff and stuffy. This is where your ceiling fans come in.
While they don't necessarily cool air, fans helping move it around, creating a more relaxed and fresh environment. Set your fans to spin in a clockwise direction (you can adjust them using the switch on the side of the motor) so they blow cold air straight back down to your rooms. In general, the hotter you feel, the faster you should have the fan going. Just make sure to turn your fans off when you leave the house — no need to have them going when no one is home.
Close Your Curtains
You may love having the sun shine in to brighten up your home, but all of those rays also add a lot of heat to a room, too. Instead, keep your curtains and blinds closed until the sun is no longer shining directly on that side of your home. After all, a little daylight is easy to give up for a few hours if it means you feel cooler, isn't it?
While we're on the topic of curtains, take this time to ditch the heavy fabrics and switch to lighter, airy materials. Those thicker curtains can actually hold onto heat and make your room feel uncomfortable. Lighter materials, such as cotton, can help make a room feel much airier.
Avoid Cooking
We don’t mean avoid cooking entirely, but definitely try to avoid using your stove if you want to keep your home cool. Even if you have it set to a lower temperature, your oven gives off a ton of heat that spreads into your home each time you use it. Try to stick to just your microwave or stovetop if you’re cooking, or order takeout on the really hot days.
Use Your Exhaust Fans
When you do cook a meal, make sure you have your exhaust fans on to suck out all the fumes and heat you’re producing. The same goes for when you take a shower. All that steam your shower produces can increase your home’s humidity and make the air feel warm and sticky. Always turn on your exhaust fans when you shower and leave them running for at least 10-15 minutes afterward.
Keep the Lights Off
All the lights you flick on during the day produce heat. And even though the bulbs are small (compared to the size of your home), the more bulbs you have going, the more heat is being emitted — and all of that heat can eventually add up and really warm up your home. Try to keep as many lights off as you can, and, if you do have to turn lights on, make sure you’re using energy efficient bulbs that don’t give off as much heat.
Keep Yourself Cool
If your efforts aren’t making too much of a difference for your home, try to focus on simply keeping your own body cool. Try things like:
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Drinking a lot of cold water throughout the day and especially before bedtime.
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Wearing light, loose-fitting clothing.
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Apply a cool towel or ice pack to the back of your neck and wrists.
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Take cold showers.
If your air conditioner is on the fritz or isn’t performing as it should, you’ll want to have repairs made sooner rather than later. The AC experts at Air Treatment Heating & Cooling are here to help! We’ve been providing top-notch heating and cooling and indoor air quality service since 1958, so you can trust us to help out in your Northern Virginia home!
To schedule a service, give us a call today or just visit our website!