This week we will see our temperatures climb to the high 90’s and knock on the door of triple digits. In the warmest parts of the entire year, it is very tempting to just crank your thermostat to it’s iciest settings. But there are other tricks and tips that can help your home while preserving your AC and money.

1. Dehumidify
Humidity is something we are all very familiar with living in Virginia, Maryland, DC, and West Virginia. If there is one thing we know for sure it is no one wants their home feeling like a swamp. Purchasing a simple dehumidifier for you home will help cool and dry your home. You will be amazed at how much moisture is in the air. This is also good for preventing mold growth.

2. Reduce and Reflect Sunlight
Having the sun beaming in your house can heat things up fast. It can also damage furniture and floors. Putting up blinds and curtains are not only decorative but helpful!

3. Turn Off Lights When Not in Use
If you have children you are probably used to saying this a million times. Light bulbs emit heat, especially the incandescent bulbs. Turning them off or switching to LED can really help with the temperature and will last much longer.

4. Be Smart About Your Doors
Leaving exterior doors open allows unwanted heat in your home costing you a fortune in AC. Be sure to keep front, back, and garage doors closed when not using them. Leaving them open for just a moment lets that precious cool air out of your house and into the hot hot world.

5. Set Your Ceiling Fans to Rotate Counter-Clockwise
Did you know you could do this? Making this simple change will help take the warm air around you to the ceiling. This is better than the fan taking hot air that has already risen and blowing it back at you.

6. Make Use of Your Bathroom and Kitchen Exhaust Fans
Outside of removing steam and smells from your bathroom it can also help with your temperature. These exhaust fans also draw out the heat from other rooms nearby. Try running them at the warmest part of the day and see if you can notice the change!

7. Swap your sheets
Not only is this something we should be doing anyway to freshen the room, but it can also keep you cool. This is the time of year to make sure you are using cotton sheets as they are cooler and more breathable. You can go the extra step and grab yourself a buckwheat pillow. These naturally have air space between them, they won’t hold on to your body heat. This can help your nights be more restful and less sweaty.

8. Start grilling
This one may be music to some of your ears!! As many of you know cooking in the kitchen (especially with the oven) can heat up the room quick! With it being nearly 100 degrees outside who wants to turn on an appliance that heats up to 400 degrees? Fire up that grill and let the heat stay where it should!

9. Hack a fan instead of turning on the AC
This one may seem silly but trust us…it really works! Fill a mixing bowl with ice or grab an icepack, and position it at an angle in front of a large fan. In just a few short moments you will start feeling that magical cool air whipping through your room. This is one thing from TV and Movies that is real!. It’s magic, Trust us!

10. Plant Trees Strategically
Ok, so we are thinking the long-game here, but still just as helpful. This is the gift that will keep on giving and benefit you in the long run. It will also bring some beauty and life to your property and who doesn’t want that?