The hot months of summer are fast approaching and as such, taking the steps necessary to keep yourself and family members cool, even throughout the hottest parts of the summer, is extremely essential.
Being hot and uncomfortable inside the home could cause anyone discomfort and result in irritability.
Thankfully, there are a number of different things that can be done to make sure household members remain cool and comfy each and every day.
Open Room Doors and Registers
The airflow throughout the house will be better the more doors and registers are opened. Closing too many registers or vents can be likened to a clogged drain in the bathroom.
Similar to how water cannot successfully clear a clog, the air is not capable of getting to the rest of the house by way of a closed door or register. Not only will this impact airflow, but it could cause the air conditioning unit to work harder to get the home cooled as well.
This could result in the unit having more wear and tear or even higher utility bills could result from the HVAC system being pushed to work harder.
Even if the registers are opened just a little bit, this is still better than leaving them closed since doing this will allow air to circulate all throughout the different rooms of the house.
Keep the Fan On
Similar to keeping the registers open, keeping the fan turned on ensures that the air is kept active and moving all over the house and this optimizes airflow.
In addition, this will keep the temperature at a cooler degree and enable your air conditioning unit to not work as arduously to cool the inside of your home. Unless you will be gone from your home for an extended time period, keeping the fan on for air circulation is a good idea.
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Regularly Change the Air Filter
Forgetting about the a/c air filter can be quite easy and this is especially true during the long, cold months of winter.
However, changing the air filter on a regular basis is important to optimizing airflow throughout the house. Experts have recommended that the air filter should be changed about every three months.
During the summertime when the air conditioner is used more frequently, it could be beneficial to have the air filter changed even more often than that. Changing the air filters will boost the efficiency of your air conditioner, increase airflow and improve air quality.
Be Aware of Levels of Humidity
Checking the levels of humidity in your home is particularly important during the summer months when levels of humidity are much higher.
If there is a humidifier in the home, make sure it is set at the appropriate level for a balance of humidity, which will allow you to stay comfortable right throughout the summer months.
Not only are condensation and high humidity uncomfortable, but they can result in health problems or cause damage to the inside of the home. Ensure humidity levels are checked to improve your level of comfort.
Check the Dampers
In some HVAC systems, the ductwork is outfitted with air dampers or valves. These dampers are designed to control airflow on entire floors or in specific rooms. Dampers should not be confused with the registers that are visible through the grills of the vents on the ceilings or floors.
Typically, dampers are concealed inside the ductwork. Sometimes damper controls are in the form of a knob or handle on the outside of ducts that can be rotated to open or close them.
If a home has poor airflow, checking to determine whether dampers are closed, open, or somewhere in between can be a fast and easy solution to being comfortable during the heat of the summer.
Installing an Air Conditioner with Dehumidification
If an old HVAC system is in operation in your home, there is a big chance that the air conditioner does not have dehumidification facilities.
The majority of newer AC systems include this element; if yours does not and the comfort of your home is being compromised, now might be the right time to install a new ac system.
In systems with built-in dehumidification, the components of the AC cool the air while the dehumidifier gets rid of any moisture in the air. If one of these more contemporary, high-quality systems is already in your home, it simply may be time to schedule an appointment for service to have the system repaired.
Cooler Ways to Sleep
When it is hot or humid at night, getting good sleep can be quite a struggle. It is typically a miserable feeling to spend the night tossing and turning, particularly if you are on a break from work and looking to unwind and catch up on some sleep. Overcoming this problem may need some amount of creativity and the guidelines below could be of help:
Crack Open the Windows
Position standalone fans to strategically blow across from a slightly opened window to create a cooling effect all through the room. Think about placing your bed in a position that best compliments the cross breeze.
Use Cotton Bedding
Make sure that you switch out your sheets for the summer season. Natural fibers like cotton are light and breathable and are the least heat-absorbent materials that can help you to sleep.
Avoid silk or flannel. Even though silk is light, it insulates heat. In addition to fabric weight, consider sheet color; go for a light cotton sheet in a light color.
Take a Cold Shower
Before going to sleep in your cotton sheets, take a cold-water shower. Doing this will lower your water heater bill and provide a refreshing feeling after a sweaty day.
In contrast to popular belief, taking showers in cold water has actually proven to assist you in falling into a deeper sleep. Go ahead and reap the benefits of cooling down your body before heading for bed.
Use Ceiling Fans
Turn your ceiling fans on high and make sure they are spinning in a counterclockwise manner.
