Heat waves can be absolutely miserable, despite a well-functioning air conditioner. Keeping your home cool can be a challenge, especially if it goes on for several days.

Instead of running your air conditioner nonstop, here are some tips to cool your home quickly during a heat wave and give your air conditioner a break.

Resist Turning the Air Conditioner Up

At best, your air conditioner can only cool your home to about 20 or 25 degrees cooler than the outside temperature. If you turn the thermostat down, you’re overworking your air conditioner without getting any more comfort. Instead, turn the air conditioner up a little and let it run more efficiently.

Rely on Ceiling Fans

While a ceiling fan can’t cool the air, it does create better circulation to help your air conditioner do its job. Fans also help to cool you down by wicking sweat and getting your body temperature down, so you’ll feel more comfortable.

 

Place Ice Water in Front of Fans

Putting bowls of ice water in front of your fans can blow cooler air around your home, taking some of the heat out of the room. If you have a big room to cool, use a few fans and put a bowl of ice water in front of each of them. Replace the ice as it melts.

Close Your Shades and Blinds

Air conditioners have only been around for about a century or so. Prior to that, people relied on shady areas and blinds to keep the sun out and ensure their home stayed cool. This still works in a heat wave, especially if you focus on the areas of your home that get the most sunlight.

Cool Yourself with a Frozen Water Bottle

Humans generate body heat, so the more people you have in one room, the hotter it will get. If you have a hot water bottle, you can fill it with water and freeze it for cooling. Use it for your desk chair or bed to relax and cool your body down.

Close Off Unused Spaces

If you have rooms in your home that are unoccupied, why waste the energy to cool them? This only harms your air conditioners efficiency and makes the occupied space less comfortable. Close the vents to these spaces and shut the door to keep your cool air focused in just a few areas.

Cook Food Outside

Any appliance you turn on can generate heat, but few generate as much as your oven. Avoid cooking inside if possible and grill or get takeout. You can also use a pressure cooker to create less heat.

Put Your Sheets in the Freezer

If your bedroom is too hot to sleep, put your sheets in the freezer to get them nice and cool before bed. This cooling won’t last the entire night, but it’ll help you get comfortable and fall asleep without tossing and turning.

 

Hang a Wet Sheet

A wet sheet is a good way to get cool air circulating through your home. Hang a sheet in front of an open window or a fan to catch the breeze and cool down the room quickly.

Crack a Window Before Bed

If you crack a window in your bedroom a few hours before bed, there’s time for a breeze to cool the space a little and circulate the stagnant air. If your room doesn’t have great ventilation, use a fan while the window’s open and throughout the night.

Use Lights Sparingly

All of your light bulbs generate a little heat, so it’s best to leave them off if it’s already hot in your home. Once the sun goes down, turn on only one or two lights to see and try to limit your light use. This will also help you save on your electricity bill.

Avoid Using Your Washer or Dishwasher

Your washer and dishwasher add heat and humidity to your home. During a heatwave, this could be enough to make it miserable. Avoid using your washing machine or dishwasher at all, if possible, or wait until it’s cooler in the morning or evening.

Take Cool Showers

Hot showers can be uncomfortable when it’s hot out, but a cool shower is refreshing and cools your body down. Make sure your showers aren’t too warm, which will create steam that adds to the humidity in your home.

Get Air Conditioner Maintenance Before the Season Starts

Your air conditioner has a big job all summer, especially if there’s a lot of hot days. Prepare it for the summer season with a good tune up to fix any repairs and make sure it’s running optimally. If your air conditioner is getting up in age and taking a lot of wear and tear, it may be best to upgrade it during the off season to ensure efficiency.

Do you need an air conditioner repair or maintenance? Contact us at Proskill to schedule a consultation!