Summer heat can make your home feel uncomfortable. Running your air conditioner all day may help, but it can also drive up your energy bills. The good news is that there are simple ways to stay cool and save money at the same time.

How to Make My Home Cooler in the Summer

Here are practical tips to help cool things down in your home this summer:

Block the Heat

Stopping the heat before it gets in is easier than trying to get rid of it later. Shade windows with outdoor blinds, awnings, or even big plants. Planting leafy trees that lose their leaves in winter can help, too — they provide shade in summer and let the sun in when it's cold.

Turn Off the Heat Sources

A lot of heat in the home comes from various appliances, not just the oven. Light bulbs, computers, and TVs all give off heat. Switch to LED lights and turn off anything you're not using. It's a small change that helps keep your space cooler.

Open Your Windows in the Evening

During the day, it's best to keep your windows shut. But once it cools down in the evening, open them up to let in some cold air. Use insect screens if you've got them, and leave interior doors open so the cooler air can move throughout the whole house. Just remember to close everything up again before you head to bed.

Seal up Gaps and Close Doors

If cold air's escaping under doors or through cracks, it'll take more effort to cool your home. Block those drafts with door snakes, foam weather strips, or sealant around windows and baseboards. Also, close doors to rooms you're not using to concentrate the cool air where you need it most. This helps both fans and air conditioners work more efficiently by reducing the area they need to cool.

Shut the Blinds

It sounds obvious, but keeping the sun out makes a massive difference. Close curtains or blinds during the hottest parts of the day — blackout curtains are even better if you've got them.

Ensure Your Ceiling Fan Spins the Right Way

Your ceiling fan has a summer and winter setting. In summer, it should spin counterclockwise to push cool air down. Set it to a higher speed for a stronger breeze — this won't lower the room temperature, but it will make you feel cooler.

Still Feeling the Heat? Let's Take a Look at Your AC

Even with the best hacks, your home won't stay cool if your AC isn't running right. Whether it needs a quick tuneup or a full replacement, the certified pros at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® are here to help. We'll show up on time, diagnose the issue fast, and get your system running efficiently so you can stay comfortable and save energy.

Call us at 800-893-3523 for more information, or book an AC service appointment today.