We’ve had a wonderful stretch of warm weather in Bellingham and around Whatcom County. Well, warm but local standards at least. Many find it hard to justify the cost of air conditioning in this climate, but when it gets warm many are left second guessing their decision. Below are some tips courtesy of Pillar to Post Inspections on how to cool your home without air conditioning.
Let the Cool Air In -When the day cools off, open doors and windows to allow the cool air to circulate through the rooms of your home. Turn on fans to create a cross-breeze, circulating the cool night air. Keep the kitchen cabinets open all night because they can store heat in your home.
Keep Out the Heat – As the temperature climbs during the morning, close doors, and shut your blinds and curtains to block out the sun. This way you keep the cooler air in and prevent hot air from entering. Close doors quickly when entering or exiting your home.
Insulate - One of the most effective ways to keep a home cool is to install adequate insulation. Insulation keeps the home cool in summer.
Seal Drafts – Seal holes, cracks and openings in your home to stop the flow of hot air seeping in through the walls and ceiling. Weather stripping and weatherizing your home greatly reduces the amount of cool air that escapes.
Turn off heat sources- Avoid using the stove and oven as much as possible. Instead, use the microwave to quickly heat food without raising the temperature of the kitchen, and set your dishwasher to use its non-heated drying cycle. Incandescent light bulbs also create heat – switch to compact fluorescents instead. Turn off lamps, electronics, and computers when not in use. Thanks Pillar to Post for the great tips!
For more information on Bellingham Real Estate or to search for homes in the Bellingham and Whatcom County area visit www.JohnsonTeamRealEstate.com, your one stop Bellingham real estate and community information resource!
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Might I also suggest… use the BBQ! Granted, it can get a little toasty being outside working on the grill, but at least you aren’t heating your home with the stove or having to microwave food. Love this post… thanks!
Another way to keep a home cool, although crude and unattractive, is to put tin foil over the windows to reflect the sun. Not something you would want to do to the front of your house, but if the side of your house isn’t facing anyone and you have thick curtains to conceal what you’ve done on the inside, it might help a lot.
Another great way to keep a home cool without AC is to install a whole house fan. It works best at night by moving air in through windows and up and out through the attic. They help keep the interior of your home cooler and reduce radiant heat from coming in through the ceiling by keeping the attic cooler. You can also consider planting fast growing trees on the south and west sides of your home to provide shade in the future.
best one so far i have found in vancouver during our 3 day heat wave
is being outside in the park. lots of shade, moving air and way way colder sitting in the middle of the park then at home. great post!
Oh right, open the windows and let the cool air into your home. Mind you, it’s cooler here in the Philippines. Just summer and rainy are the seasons and it’s very cool during night. No air conditioning needed.Just open the door and windows specially if there’s trees around.