Cumbersome cooking and cleaning duties in the summer can create a less-than-hospitable environment in your home. But what’s a mom to do? You have limited options in your busy schedule to keep up with these demands. Luckily, there are ways to use ventilation to beat the heat – without putting any more strain on the air conditioner or your budget.
Summer Ventilation Tips & Tricks
Fire Up Fans
Get maximum ventilation and comfort by rotating ceiling fans counterclockwise to push air down, which improves circulation and creates a wind-chill effect that will help you and your family feel cooler. Turn off motors when not in use.Take advantage of colder outside air by opening windows and placing a portable fan inside to move cool air in. Still sweating? Strategically place a bowl of ice water in front of the breeze for a “chill” experience.
Exercise Exhaust
Turn on your kitchen or bathroom fan to pull hot air out of your home.Think long-term. Easily installed, whole house fans can greatly improve ventilation. Simply open windows and exhaust hot inside air out through roof vents. They use 90% less energy than your HVAC, and in cool, dry climates can completely replace it. Federal and local rebates and incentives are available.
Go the extra mile and add an attic fan to further prevent heat gain through to your living space. The heat is taken in from your roof becomes stuck in your attic and keeps your home’s temperatures high well after evening air cools.
Go Natural
Crack the windows. Opening the windows in your home before you go to bed is a great way to naturally ventilate. Just remember to close things up before the mercury climbs too high in the morning.Create a wind tunnel by strategically opening windows or placing fans to create a cross breeze.
Plan Ahead
If ventilation just isn’t enough, you may need to rethink your methods:- Can you run the dryer, dishwasher, or prep food in the oven in the early morning before temperatures climb?
- When you cook, is your prepping (slicing, dicing, and mixing) done before you turn up the heat?
- Have you considered microwave or grill cooking to keep heat and humidity under control?
- Are you eating season-appropriate fare such as salads, raw vegetables, and cold soups?
Contact Mr. Electric
Can’t stand the heat? Kick it out of the kitchen with the help of the installation professionals by contacting Mr. Electric® today.
For Further Reading
Benefits of Installing a Tankless Water Heater
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