Having an air conditioner is a near-must in climates where months-long heat waves are a summer norm. And with that comes an equally scorching energy bill. Even in regions with gentler climates, homeowners can still experience enough hot days in a row to nearly go mad.

It doesn’t have to be so hard. Whether you want to save money by running your air conditioner less or brave the heat without one, here are some tips that will help you stay cool.

Try to block the sun from reaching your windows all together.

Energy-efficient houses depend on well-designed shading systems, because the best way to avoid summer heat is by blocking the sun’s rays from ever reaching the windows.

It’s a simple concept that we regularly employ with beach umbrellas to protect our skin and carports to shade our cars.

The more shading you can include on the outside, the better. If you can’t afford a new matching set of shutters, consider a simple overhang made with brackets and timber slats to block your windows from the intense summer sun.

The best way to beat the heat is to block the sunlight before it reaches your house. Whether you do that by hanging shades, installing awnings or even planting trees, the most effective use of the funds in your home-cooling budget is in this first step.

Add interior drapes, blinds or shades to block the sun.

Once the heat from the sun’s rays passes through the glass of a window, that heat is in the house and will need to be ventilated to escape. To keep your floors and walls from soaking up that heat from direct rays and emitting it throughout the day, it can help to add another layer of protection between the window and the main thermal mass of your home.

Sheer window treatments are a nice way to mitigate direct sun rays to the floor but maintain soft, natural daylight. Plus, white reflects sunlight better than colors.

Get the air circulating with ceiling fans, which can reduce A/C costs.

Air will flow only if it is forced or if there is a large temperature difference with a neighboring body of air.

Night cooling is a great way to naturally decrease the temperature in your house and exchange hot interior air for cooler outdoor air.

Ceiling fans and standing fans placed near windows at night can help force the air movement when there is no breeze and a small temperature difference. During the day the added air movement from fans can help the perception of heat, which is tied to humidity.

Ensure you turn off all major appliances during the day.

To help maintain those cooler temperatures during the day, reduce anything that generates heat in your house or apartment. For example, don’t use the dryer or oven and try not to open the fridge too often. The more you open it, the more the motor has to work to cool it down again, and the heat generated from that work will be released back into your apartment.

Bonus: Stay hydrated as much as possible!

Everyone knows that staying hydrated in summer is extremely important. But did you know that drinking water also helps regulate your body temperature?

Looking to do a full home renovation?

Trilogy Contracting is a home renovation company in the Fraser Valley servicing client’s in the Tri-Cities, Surrey, Langley, Maple Ridge and everywhere in between. If you have a question, feel free to send us an email.

Trilogy Contracting — Langley Home Renovations