5-Steps to Help Cool Your House for Summer

Summer is almost officially here and Portland is experiencing its first heat wave! Thankfully it will pass quickly, but it's a reminder of what's to come. These 5 simple steps will help you help live smarter and keep your home cooler in the summer ahead!

1. Get your HVAC serviced and clean your air filters.

There's nothing worse than having your air conditioner break during summer, especially when most HVAC companies are booked solid. Checking your air conditioning system before summer will help keep you cool; and little love can really go a long way.  

Change your system's filter. Dirty and clogged filters make AC systems work harder and also cost more to run, and can reduce air flow by 1 percent per week. Hopefully you're already changing your heating and air filters every two to four months. It really depends on how much dust and pet hair is in your home. 

Having your unit tuned up annually can help extend its life and keep it running efficiently. Seasonal maintenance usually includes inspecting and cleaning your unit, and servicing parts that may need it. Most HVAC companies offer a prepaid annual service plans that covers tune-ups, filter changes, and a discount on repairs if something does go wrong. It may be worth it to prevent expensive repairs or replacements. 

2. Make sure ceiling fans are rotating counter clockwise.

Reversing the rotation of your ceiling fan blades will push the warmth to the ceiling instead of blowing it your direction and will help keep you and your room cooler. If you don’t know how to rotate your fan blades, chances are your ceiling fan's owner manual is online. 

3. Install white window shades or blinds.

The color white doesn’t absorb light and will help to reflect those heat rays away from your room.  Mini-blinds can reduce solar heat gain by 40-50 percent.

4. Don’t run unnecessary appliances during the day.

Appliances and electronics create heat when in use. Try to avoid running your dishwasher and doing laundry during the day to help keep your home cool.

5. Make use of your bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans.

In addition to drawing out any excess steam, exhaust fans also draw out the heat from other nearby rooms. When you aren’t using your AC, open the bathroom door and turn the exhaust fan on. You should feel a noticeable difference.