Save Money and Stay Comfy on those “In-Between Days”

We love the transition from summer to fall here in Utah. It’s not too hot, but just warm and sunny enough. It’s also warm enough to make the inside of your home a little stuffy some days.

When that happens, you could always adjust your thermostat and let your AC work its magic. But that’ll cost you…and by now you’ve probably got a little “summer power bill fatigue” going on. Luckily there are a few great ways you can keep your home comfy-cozy that don’t require your AC. (Which also helps keep a little $$ in your pocket!) Here’s our top three tips for staying cool on those “in-between days”:

1. Create Some Cross-Ventilation

Open windows (or doors) at opposite sides of your home (and keep any openings or internal doors open between them as well. This creates something called cross-ventilation. Even on day with gentle breeze, it can be enough to circulate fresh air throughout the house. A couple of tips to keep in mind:

• This works especially well when the temps outside are below the temps in your home. For example, if you prefer your home at 76 degrees, and the morning temps are lower, it’s a great time crack those windows and let Mother Nature do the cooling. Keep an eye on it though, you’ll want to be sure and close things off once the temps flip-flop.

• Opening the highest and lowest windows in a home at the same time (especially on different floors) can also help to increase ventilation.

• Consider using indoor fans in combination with open doors or windows to further increase ventilation. Speaking of fans…

2. Use Fans to Increase Ventilation

In addition to specialized window fans, box fans or tower fans can be placed in front of a window. Figure our which direction the breeze in moving though your home and place one fan blowing inward by the window with incoming air and another facing out on the opposite end. This will boost the breeze and speed up the cooling.

If a single fan is used, it should be facing (and blowing air) in the same direction the air is naturally moving. You can determine the direction the air is naturally moving by observing the movement of drapes or by holding a light fabric or dropping paper clippings and noting which direction they move.

The direction the air is blowing (in or out of the home) from a particular window or door may change at times, especially on windy days. If these changes are frequent, try moving the fan to another location. Also, you may want to ditch the fan on windy days.

3. Don’t Forget to Use Your Window Coverings

For a lot of us, blinds and window covering fly open I the morning, and stay that way ‘til the sun sets. We tend to close blinds and window coverings for privacy in the evenings…but a little more finesse in your window covering game can go a long way in controlling temps. As the sun moves from East to West, consider closing the blinds or drawing the shades on windows that are directly facing the sun. As the sun moves on to another spot, feel free to let the light in…but be sure to close up any other windows that are now exposed.

It incredible how a little bit of shade goes a pretty long way in keeping temps under control.

Want an even more fool-proof method? Consider planting trees, installing awnings, or tinting the glass on windows with the most exposure.

Bonus: You’ve Always Got AC if You Need It

If the tips above aren’t doing the trick, or if temps warm up to the point where you just need a little extra help cooling off, you’ve always got your trusty AC to keep you cool. And if your trusty AC isn’t all that trusty, that’s where we come in! Give us a call or schedule an appointment with our convenient online scheduling.

Our team is here to help keep your home’s comfort system running in tip-top shape. And if you find yourself needing a new system, or replacement system, we’re always available for free estimates, second opinions, and answers to any HVAC questions you may have.