DIY Tips: Efficient Ways to Cool Your Home During the Summer

Today’s DIY tip is all about how to cool your home efficiently during the summer months. Here in the Philadelphia area, we’re experiencing our first heat wave of the year, and it has been pretty hot this week. So, here are a few things you can do to keep your home cool and your energy bills low.

1. Check Your Fan Direction

Ceiling fans are a great way to keep cool air circulating in your home, but did you know the direction of the fan blades matters? During the warmer months, make sure your ceiling fan is spinning counterclockwise. This creates a downdraft, which spreads the cool air throughout the room. Changing the direction of your ceiling fan is usually quite simple. There is typically a switch either on the outside of the fan, below the blades, or inside the covering for your light bulbs. Flip the switch up or down, or left and right, to change the direction to counterclockwise.

2. Keep Drapes and Blinds Closed

During the daytime hours, keep your drapes and blinds closed. From late morning to early evening, the sun is at its hottest. Keeping direct sunlight out of your home can help maintain a cooler temperature inside and make your air conditioning system more efficient.

3. Maintain Your HVAC System

Your HVAC system plays a crucial role in cooling your home, so make sure it's running efficiently. Start by regularly changing the air filters. Every air conditioning system is different, and manufacturers recommend different intervals for changing filters—some monthly, some every few months, and some annually. Check your HVAC owner’s manual to find the recommended schedule for your unit. If you’ve misplaced the manual, you can usually find this information online by searching for your air conditioning model.

When changing your filters, take a picture of the old filter before removing it. This ensures you place the new filter correctly. Also, if you have a programmable thermostat, set it to keep your house warmer when you’re out and cooler when you’re home. Avoid large temperature swings to prevent overworking your HVAC system; a range of 72 to 78 degrees is generally ideal.

4. Inspect and Seal Gaps Around Doors and Windows

Regularly inspect your home for gaps around doors and windows. Ensuring your weather stripping is intact can go a long way in cooling your home efficiently. Sealing these gaps helps keep the cool air inside and the hot air outside, reducing the strain on your air conditioning system.

Final Thoughts

If you’re in the greater Philadelphia area and need assistance with any of these tips, don’t hesitate to reach out to Elite Handyman Services of PA. We’re here to help with all your home maintenance needs. And as always, if you find this content helpful, please like, subscribe, and share. Thanks so much for reading. Happy DIYing and stay cool!