Here are few simple, cheap things you can do to keep your house as cool as possible — as cheaply as possible — during hot summer weather.
- Change to light colored shades, or go the other direction and use blackout shades. Shut all shades before you leave in the morning
- Caulk any air leaks around doors and windows
- Shut the doors to rooms you aren’t using
- Check attic for insulation level. Add more insulation if needed
- In the evening, open up the house as soon as it’s cooler outside than in to flush out the hot air. Turn on fans in upstairs windows to pull the hot air out more quickly
- Turn off lights you don’t need, and avoid using the oven
- Only run large appliances like the dryer and dishwasher at night. This will save you on your energy bill as well. Electricity is priced higher during the peak daytime hours
- Use ceiling and other fans only when you are present. They don’t actually cool things down, they evaporate the sweat on your body, which cools you down. Set ceiling fans to blow down, not up (opposite of the winter)
Whole house window fan: https//:www.amazon.com/AirKing-9166-Whole-House-Window/dp/B0007Q3RQ6. 27-38″ wide, 26.25″ high