Tips for Keeping your Apartment Cool in Warm Temperatures

Summer is on the way which means outdoor temperatures are increasing. All of the sunshine and warm air that come along with summer causes buildings to get warm really quickly because they tend to absorb the heat. In order to make sure your apartment is not uncomfortably warm, here are some great tips to help ensure your apartment stays cool during the summer months.

1. Keep the Blinds Shut

A lot of unwanted heat gets through the windows when the blinds are left open. Closing your blinds limits the amount of sunlight that can get into your apartment. This keeps your home cooler. Sunlight carries a great amount of heat. Blocking the sunlight with blinds, curtains, and shades, means you can save around 10-15 percent on your cooling costs.

2. Purchase Blackout Curtains

Blackout curtains can reduce the heat gain up to 33 percent. They block out the sunlight and naturally insulate areas in which they are used.

3. Open the Doors in your Apartment

Keep the air naturally flowing through your apartment by keeping doors to unused rooms shut and the others open. Having a door closed stops the cooling breeze or draft quickly. By allowing the air in your apartment to circulate naturally, the whole area will automatically feel cooler.

4. Make sure the Ceiling Fans are moving Counter-Clockwise

An important tip, which is not known by many home owners, is set your ceiling fan for the seasons. Set it at a higher speed and for a counter-clockwise rotation in the summer. This produces a cool breeze that will keep both you and your apartment feeling cool.

5. Ice-Cold Fan Hack

Find a large bowl and fill it with ice packs or some ice. Then put it directly in front of a fan and turn it on. As the fan blows across the ice, it creates cooler air. This is a great DIY air conditioner that is sure to cool you down.

6. Be sure your Linens are Summer Friendly

Make sure your sheets, comforter, pillowcases, and pajamas are summer friendly. Flannel and fleece are not recommended to keep you cool in warmer temperatures. Cottons are a great option along with other lightweight material.

These materials give your body the opportunity to breathe easier and stay cooler. A helpful tip is to switch out your bed sheets for a bamboo mat. They are cooler than cotton sheets and there are some that are available to purchase at local stores.

7. Take Advantage of Cool Night Temperatures

The perfect time for cooling your apartment is during the nighttime. The temperature tends to fall in the evening making it the best time to set up some fans by your windows to bring in that cooler air.

8. Cool Yourself Down

If your apartment is warmer than you would like, there are multiple ways you can keep yourself as cool as possible. Wear light clothing and use a cold washcloth on areas such as your head and neck. This will keep you cool for sure.

Take a cool shower or bath. This can be very refreshing and lowers your body temperature. It is very important to remember to drink ice cold fluids in order to stay hydrated and cool.

Stay cool and happy summer!