It’s crucial to keep our home comfortable now more than ever, especially since most of us are working from and staying at home because of the pandemic. With temperature rising to unbearable levels, it proves to be more challenging to find ways to stay cool. While turning the air conditioner on might be the first thing that comes to mind, this is not the only way to beat the heat in your home.
Here are some ways to increase the comfort level at home during these hot summer days without racking up your electricity bill.
1. Block the sunlight.
While natural light has a host of benefits, opening your windows just doesn’t cut it. Allowing the sun’s rays into your home will significantly increase the room temperature. As much as possible, block direct sunlight using blinds or curtains.
2. Hack a fan.
This is a life hack that will save you tons of sweat… and a few pesos from your electricity bill. Simply put a large bowl of ice in front of a large fan and you’d instantly have a cool, refreshing breeze powering you up.
3. Opt for light-colored cotton sheets.
It’s time to pull out your cotton sheets from the cabinet and put them to good use. Change your beddings into this type of fabric so that sleeping without an aircon is still comfortable. Lighter colors also give off a more refreshing feel.
4. Embrace the "plantita" in you.
Did you know that your green babies help cool the air at home? Not only do they provide visual aesthetics to your abode, they also provide fresh air. Having a mini garden indoors is one eco-friendly way to keep your space cool. Plantitas and plant parents, there’s more reason to buy the following: snake plant, Chinese evergreen, rubber plant, fiddle leaf fig, spider plant, money plant.
5. Choose your lights wisely, and turn off unnecessary ones.
Certain types of light, such as incandescent bulbs, produce heat inside a room. Take advantage of energy-efficient light bulbs, especially in high-use areas. And though it may be tempting to use some accent lighting to achieve a specific ambience, they can only add to the heat (and electricity bill) in your home. Turn off lights you don’t need or use.
6. Install ceiling fans.
Consider installing ceiling fans to keep the cool air moving inside a room. Here's a trick: during hotter seasons, let your ceiling fan blow in a counterclockwise direction to force the air down.
7. Use your doors to your advantage.
Knowing when to open or close a door can help you survive on a hot day. The rule is to close the door if the outdoor area is hotter than the room, and keep all the inside doors open to allow for greater airflow. At night, you can keep your inside door open to let air in naturally.
