10 Low Cost Ways to Keep Your House Cooler

1. Use an exhaust fan to blow hot air out of your kitchen while cooking. The savings in your cooling costs far outweigh the electricity use of the fan.
2. Shut the doors or at least try to minimize the number of times that doors to the outside are opened and closed. Each time you open the door heat enters the house.
3. A breeze on a summer day can be enough to keep you cool. Instead of turning the air conditioner on, open doors and windows on opposite sides of the house for cross ventilation.
4. Avoid activities that add heat or humidity to your home, particularly during the hottest parts of the day or limit them to times when nobody is home. For example, turn on your dishwasher as you leave the house or let dishes air dry rather than use the dishwasher's heater.
5. Close drapes and shades on windows during the day to keep heat from the sun out of your house. In the evening opening drapes and shades lets heat escape through the windows.
6. The breeze created by a ceiling fan or portable fan typically makes you feel just as comfortable at a temperature 6° F warmer. Raising the thermostat 6° F can save 10% on your cooling bill.
7. Consider using a dehumidifier instead of turning on the air conditioning. You will be comfortable at much higher temperatures if you reduce the humidity. There are whole home dehumidifiers that can attach to your existing equipment.
8. Use an attic fan to get rid of the heat build-up in your attic. Heat from your attic eventually finds its way into your home. However, if your home is not properly sealed from the attic space, this can cause issues. Homes with recessed lights into the attic should call for more information.
9. Don't let a room air conditioner bake in the sun. Room air conditioners work best when kept cool. Installing the unit in a north-facing wall is ideal. Another option is to take advantage of shade from trees.
10. Seal any gaps along the sides of your room air conditioners with foam insulation. Your air conditioner needs to work much harder if the cool air is escaping.