{"id":21716,"date":"2024-07-11T10:00:40","date_gmt":"2024-07-11T14:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casartcoverings.com\/casartblog\/?p=21716"},"modified":"2026-02-04T17:22:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T22:22:12","slug":"beat-the-heat-with-these-cooling-tips-for-your-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casartcoverings.com\/casartblog\/beat-the-heat-with-these-cooling-tips-for-your-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Beat the Heat With These Cooling Tips for Your Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to Evelyn Long’s article, Beat the Heat With These Cooling Tips for Your Home, <\/em>which comes just in time for July. Be sure to read Evelyn’s bio at the bottom.<\/p>\n

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With climate change, the summer heat has gone from uncomfortable to dangerous. Although you can\u2019t single-handedly slow global warming, you can control your house\u2019s indoor temperature to stay cool and healthy throughout the season with these seven tips.<\/p>\n

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1. Right-Size Your Air Conditioner<\/h3>\n
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Photo by Kira Porotikova via unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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An undersized AC can\u2019t perform well enough to satisfy your cooling load. However, an oversized unit isn\u2019t any better, either. It runs in short cycles, driving down air temperatures too quickly and shutting off before dehumidifying your spaces enough. The air is too moist when indoor relative humidity levels are too high, keeping sweat from evaporating<\/a> and causing discomfort.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a science behind determining the suitable AC size for your home. Determining its ideal cooling capacity involves measuring your space\u2019s square footage, considering complex room shapes and adjusting the cooling load based on various factors. These include your local climate, room orientation, window count and number of occupants.<\/p>\n

Doing this math can make your head spin. Thankfully, a qualified heating, ventilation and air conditioning technician can handle this task and ensure you buy a unit that can keep your indoor relative humidity from exceeding 50%<\/a> to achieve and maintain desirable comfort levels.<\/p>\n

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2. Upgrade to Advanced Thermostats<\/h3>\n
\"Thermostat
Photo by Dan Lefebvre via unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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You have two options \u2014 programmable and smart devices. Programmable thermostats allow you to set your temperature targets throughout the day. They help your AC efficiently operate when you\u2019re at home, asleep and outside.<\/p>\n

Smart thermostats study your AC usage history and auto-adjust air temperature levels based on your preferences. They use geofencing to know when you\u2019re heading home and regulate your home\u2019s indoor climate accordingly so you\u2019re comfortable when you arrive. These devices support Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to remotely control them via an app and monitor your home energy use.<\/p>\n

Either way, you can beat the heat at home and reduce your utility bill by 10%<\/a> by setting your dial one degree higher for at least eight hours during the warmest months.<\/p>\n

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3. Seal Air Leaks<\/h3>\n
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Casart Crawfish Cotillion Removable Wall Mural Gray Yellow Ochre Cream<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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An airtight building envelope is vital to isolate your indoor climate from the outside world. The same logic applies when refrigerating food \u2014 you must close your fridge\u2019s door to keep its compartments\u2019 temperatures low enough to inhibit contamination.<\/p>\n

An adequately sized AC regulated by a programmable or smart thermostat means nothing when you can\u2019t trap your conditioned air inside. Cool air can escape through holes and cracks, and warm air uses them to infiltrate your space. They\u2019re not always easy to spot, and without proper equipment and expertise, finding them all can be challenging.<\/p>\n

Arrange an energy audit to uncover pockets of air leakage throughout your house. An assessor will conduct a blower door test<\/a> to identify the areas you should cover, caulk or seal with weather strips.<\/p>\n

Finishing sealed wall surfaces can be time-consuming. If you don\u2019t have the time and energy to paint, use removable wallpaper instead. It\u2019s a stylish placeholder, beautifying your space until you finish the problem area permanently. You can reroll this peel-and-stick product<\/a> onto the backing sheet and save it for reuse.<\/p>\n

Resource Image:\u00a0 Casart Coverings Crawfish Cotillion Designs<\/a><\/p>\n

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4. Ensure Adequate Insulation<\/h3>\n
\"Insulation
Photo by Erik Mclean via unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Proper insulation slows conduction \u2014 the movement of heat<\/a> between solid materials. Cooling a tightly sealed yet poorly insulated house on a scorching afternoon is impossible. The problem is an underinsulated space can go unnoticed for a long time. Here are tried-and-true ways to confirm whether you need new insulation:<\/p>\n