Summer Cooling Tips For Every Fort Collins Homeowner
As much as people look forward to the warmth of summer, they also tend to dread the heat waves and high energy bills associated with it. Warmer weather is great, but hot, humid, sticky days are a drag. Fortunately, there are numerous summer cooling tips you can use to help keep your home cooler without forcing your air conditioner to work harder than it needs to. From simple steps you can take every morning to simple renovations, like an insulation upgrade, here is how you can stay cool this summer:
Summer Cooling Tips For Efficiency
Contents
- Summer Cooling Tips For Efficiency
- Upgrade Home Insulation
- Keep the Blinds Closed & the Curtains Drawn
- Put the Fans to Work
- Add More Shade
- Tint the Windows
- Close Off Rooms That Are Not in Use
- Change Your Lightbulbs
- Seal Gaps and Holes
- Turn on Exhaust Fans
- Choose Your Dinner Carefully
- Look for Cotton
- Upgrade Your Windows
- Consider Air Sealing
- Invest in a Duct Booster Fan
- Keep up with Routine Maintenance of Your Air Conditioner
- Insulation & Whole-Home Fan Services In Fort Collins, CO
Below, you will find some of the most useful cooling tips to use during the summer season.
Upgrade Home Insulation
You may be well aware of the insulation in your walls and attic, but have you ever thought about the insulation in your ceiling? Adding insulation where there is none, or upgrading the existing insulation, will go a long way toward keeping cool air in and hot air out.
Related Article: Fort Collins Attic Insulation Removal: What Goes into the Process?
Keep the Blinds Closed & the Curtains Drawn
One of the easiest ways to keep your home cool is often the most overlooked — simply leaving the blinds down and curtains closed can make all the difference. Blinds and curtains act as a shield that blocks sunlight from entering and warming up the indoor air. If you are itching to unblock a couple of windows, start on the opposite side of where the sun is and switch windows as the sun moves throughout the day. Just be sure the sun never streams directly through a window. You will see a considerable temperature difference.
Related Article: What Is Thermal Bridging In Colorado Homes?
Put the Fans to Work
Some people hesitate to use their ceiling fans because they think the fans are only pushing hot air around. Unfortunately, this is the case if the fans are spinning clockwise. Adjust your existing ceiling fan to a counter-clockwise rotation during the warmer months. You will notice a difference as fans push air straight down rather than pulling it up. If your fans are old or worn out, or you do not have any, you may want to consider a whole-house fan. You will be amazed at the results. Call Ascend Construction to learn more about the benefits of whole-house fans.
Add More Shade
A few additions to your landscaping can help cool down the inside of your home. Consider planting trees or tall bushes in areas that will cast shadows over your home or block the sunlight in the summer.
Related Article: What Are The Pros And Cons Of Spray Foam Insulation?
Tint the Windows
Similar to the tinting on car windows, you can tint the windows in your house. The tinting is reflective and reduces the heat coming in. It may only make a minor difference, but those little bits add up.
Close Off Rooms That Are Not in Use
Spare bedrooms, extra bathrooms, and similar places that are not frequented throughout the day do not need to benefit from the cool air you work so hard to get into your home. Shut the vents in these rooms and close the doors on your way out. These actions will allow more cool air to circulate in the spots where people are spending their time. However, don’t go overboard and only close, at max, one or two rooms. Since your AC unit is sized for your particular home, be sure to talk to an HVAC contractor before closing any vents.
Change Your Lightbulbs
If you have incandescent lightbulbs in your home, you are unknowingly heating the area every time you turn on the light. These bulbs produce a ton of extra heat, so swap them out for energy-saving lightbulbs and reap the benefits.
Related Article: How Does Insulation Affect Heat Loss?
Seal Gaps and Holes
While you are closing off unused rooms, go the extra mile and seal off the gaps around your home. Any openings around doors or windows should be closed up immediately to help keep cool air in and warm air out. You may employ caulk, weather stripping, or other similar products to achieve this.
Turn on Exhaust Fans
Any ceiling or exhaust fans, like the ones in the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room, can get hot air out of the room. Even if you are not cooking, showering, or doing laundry, it is worth it to run those vents for a while.
Related Article: The Importance Of Home Air Sealing On Energy Costs In Colorado
Choose Your Dinner Carefully
Any time you turn on your oven, the indoor temperature suffers considerably. Plan your meals according to the hottest days of the week and opt for grilled or stovetop dishes on scorching days.
Look for Cotton
Cotton is a breathable material that helps your body keep cool. Choose lightweight clothing that hangs a little loose and consists of mostly cotton. In addition, swap out flannel bedsheets for cotton ones.
Upgrade Your Windows
If you have an older home or have not upgraded your windows in a while, it might be time to do so. Modern windows are better and are increasingly made to be more energy-efficient. While initially costly, these home improvements pay off in the long run.
Related Article: How Is R Value Calculated?
Consider Air Sealing
Reputable professionals can perform air sealing services that are sure to lower your energy bills and keep your home cooler in the summer. These experts locate any areas where the air is leaking out or coming in and seal these spots off, regardless of how big or small they may be.
Related Article: How Better Attic Insulation Improves Indoor Air Quality In Colorado
Invest in a Duct Booster Fan
Place a duct booster fan in one of your vents, plug it in, and turn it on. The fan draws more cool air in, which instantly brings the room’s temperature down.
Keep up with Routine Maintenance of Your Air Conditioner
Whether you have a large central air system or a small window air conditioning unit, it is imperative to keep up on routine maintenance to ensure it performs its best in the warmest months.
You do not have to dread the idea of the coming summer months. Minor tweaks in your routine and some investments in your home can go a long way toward making your home cool and comfortable.
Related Article: Do I Need to Remove Old Insulation Before Installing New Spray Foam in Colorado?
Insulation & Whole-Home Fan Services In Fort Collins, CO
If you are considering air sealing or upgrading your home’s insulation, it is best to seek professional guidance. However, not all professionals offer the same level of quality and pricing. Always make sure you work with the best professionals available in your area. Fortunately, residents of Fort Collins and nearby areas can turn to Ascend Construction for top-notch service.
At Ascend Construction, we specialize in insulation removal and installation, air sealing, energy conservation, energy audits, whole-house fan installations, and more. We’re confident that our service stands out from the rest.
For a free consultation with our experts, get in touch with Ascend Construction today. Our team can offer practical solutions to address any problem areas in your Fort Collins home. We guarantee affordable pricing and high-quality work. Click here to contact us, or call us using the button below. We offer free, no-obligation, in-home consultations.
Ascend Construction
301 S Howes St #1241
Fort Collins, CO, 80521
(970) 420-5495