A lot of heat comes into your house through windows so a good trick to conserve coolness is to keep the blinds shut. Another trick is to make use of fans. Fill a mixing bowl with ice (or something equally cold, like an ice pack) and position it at an angle in front of a large fan, so that the air whips off the ice at an extra-chilled, extra-misty temperature.
Agree -- ceiling fans are great. If everyone in the house is gone most of the day, leave the blinds/curtains closed in the morning and turn up the thermostat. My house stays cool all day with minimal usage of the air conditioner. I have eight windows, two exterior doors and a set of sliders. Everything except for the dining room window is sheltered from the sun by trees, porches or carport. Makes a really big difference. And if you ever replace windows/doors, use Low-e glass where possible to keep the heat/cold out of your house. The biggest difference in my electric bill came by replacing a 20 year old central heat & air unit with a new energy efficient one (not saying you should run right out and do that, but when the time comes ...).
All the above suggestions are excellent! I have at least one fan in each room. When I replaced my roof, I had attic fans installed. When it reaches 90 they automatically turn on. I also replaced the hvac system for a better and more efficient system. Now working on replacing windows. All done over time as I have to budget like everyone else. Close up during the day and run fans till too hot then turn on ac. I open up at night when cool.
If you have a basement put a fan at the bottom of the steps to blow air upwards. My basement is about 50 degrees in winter and 60 come summer. Keep the curtains closed. un plug any appliance you are not using. Any thing electric can generate heat if plugged in.
If you can afford to have a whole house fan installed they are a great way to cool your home. You can also open the house in the early hours of the day, then close it up to keep it cool. You can also check to make sure you have sufficient insulation.
Put solar film on your windows. Get it at the big box store and it installs on the inside of the windows. It can reduce the temperature by as much as 30 degrees.
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A lot of heat comes into your house through windows so a good trick to conserve coolness is to keep the blinds shut. Another trick is to make use of fans. Fill a mixing bowl with ice (or something equally cold, like an ice pack) and position it at an angle in front of a large fan, so that the air whips off the ice at an extra-chilled, extra-misty temperature.
Ceiling fans are wonderful
I would die without my ceiling fans which I use all year round!
Agree -- ceiling fans are great. If everyone in the house is gone most of the day, leave the blinds/curtains closed in the morning and turn up the thermostat. My house stays cool all day with minimal usage of the air conditioner. I have eight windows, two exterior doors and a set of sliders. Everything except for the dining room window is sheltered from the sun by trees, porches or carport. Makes a really big difference. And if you ever replace windows/doors, use Low-e glass where possible to keep the heat/cold out of your house. The biggest difference in my electric bill came by replacing a 20 year old central heat & air unit with a new energy efficient one (not saying you should run right out and do that, but when the time comes ...).
All the above suggestions are excellent! I have at least one fan in each room. When I replaced my roof, I had attic fans installed. When it reaches 90 they automatically turn on. I also replaced the hvac system for a better and more efficient system. Now working on replacing windows. All done over time as I have to budget like everyone else. Close up during the day and run fans till too hot then turn on ac. I open up at night when cool.
If you have a basement put a fan at the bottom of the steps to blow air upwards. My basement is about 50 degrees in winter and 60 come summer. Keep the curtains closed. un plug any appliance you are not using. Any thing electric can generate heat if plugged in.
If you can afford to have a whole house fan installed they are a great way to cool your home. You can also open the house in the early hours of the day, then close it up to keep it cool. You can also check to make sure you have sufficient insulation.
Put solar film on your windows. Get it at the big box store and it installs on the inside of the windows. It can reduce the temperature by as much as 30 degrees.