Keep Your Home Cool on a Budget

What’s one of the biggest expenses people face each year? That’s right. Heating and cooling costs. To keep your home cool, you may see your electricity bill rise $100 or more per month. For many, that’s simply not an option. Of course, some of us can’t take the heat.

We all know how much I hate hot weather. Living in the Southeast means that it’s not only hot, but the humidity is dreadful. Then there’s the fact that your electricity bill can skyrocket. It’s so much easier and more affordable to keep your home warm than cool (just one of the many reasons I love winter). However, there are ways to keep your home cool on a budget. Let’s take a closer look.

How can I keep my home cool without AC?

Running an air conditioner can certainly be expensive. Replacing a broken central air unit can also be outrageous. So, what do you do? There are a couple excellent tips below that will help with or without AC. Remember that maintaining the cooler temperature you have early in the day is important. This means blocking out the heat and sun by closing your blinds and curtains. If you can create a cross breeze in your living space that will also be beneficial. If you have ceiling fans, make sure they are running counterclockwise to keep you cool. Another simple tip is to keep your lights off. Lights in your home can put off heat and having several on can raise the temperature in the room.

5 Ways to Keep Your Home Cool

Install Thermal Curtains

Thermal curtains are a must, especially if you have rooms that are hit by the sun in the evening. It can feel like you’re sitting in an oven, if you’re in front of our picture window in the weeks before the trees have filled out. Thermal curtains work to keep the hot air out. If you like the light from the sun, open the curtains on the side of the room that isn’t getting direct sunlight. This way you get natural light without all the heat. Thermal curtains come in a variety of colors and patterns and can be found everywhere from the Family Dollar to Walmart.

Use the Slow Cooker

Sadly, I’m the type that loves all foods, all year round. I’m not strictly a salad or cold-meal girl in the summer months. This is why I use the slow cooker a lot. I’m able to make comfort food without heating up the entire house. This means I don’t have to use more energy keeping the house cool. Best of all, slow cookers use a lot less energy than your oven.

Choose a Comfortable Temperature and Stick to It

You may be tempted to adjust your thermostat when you’ll be at work. However, your home’s cooling system will have to work even harder to bring the temperature back down to your desired setting once you get home. Instead, choose a temperature you’re comfortable with and stick to it. Your cooling system will use much less energy maintaining that temperature.

Close Off Unused Rooms

We all have rooms that go unused for whatever reason. Instead of spending the money to cool those rooms, close the vents and close the doors of those rooms. There’s no sense in cooling these rooms when they’re not in use. If you find that you only use a couple rooms for most of your daily activities, consider installing ductless units where needed.

Place a Tray of Ice in Front of a Fan

Before the days of air conditioning, people placed trays of ice in front of a fan. The fan would send cool air blowing your way as the ice melted. This is a lot cheaper than running your air conditioner. But, if you live somewhere with a scorcher climate, you could be using a LOT of ice.

What’s your favorite way to keep your home cool during the warm months? Leave a comment below.

Want to learn how to save even more money? Check out the post Save Money Instantly with These Tips. Also be sure to check me out on YouTube! And, if you have any requests for posts, leave a comment below.