It’s hard to believe that just a few months ago I was wearing sweaters and sipping on some hot tea to keep myself warm. We’re smack dab in the middle of the sweltering summer months now. Each new year seems hotter than the last. (Thanks, global warming!) While nothing sounds better than turning on the A/C the whole night, I’m not about to break the bank (or the environment) just to keep my cool. Here are some ways to chill out and keep you and your home cooler in the hot summer weather.

How to Keep Cool at Home in the Summer | MyBoysen

Take a Chill Pill

If only it were as easy as just popping some pills to stop sweat from forming on your brow. But it doesn’t have to be so hard either. Some of the simplest steps to take starts with yourself.

  1. Switch out your hot coffee for an iced latte. Always have some ice cold water next to your bed stand. Invest in a thermal water jug to keep your drinks cooler for longer!
  2. Ditch your relaxing hot showers for an ice bath. I’m not the biggest fan of cold showers, but it really does make a difference in your body temp!
  3. Here’s a life hack: place a bowl of ice or ice pack in front of your electric fan. This works best in small spaces (like your bedroom), and it doesn’t break the bank either! Just make sure you place them in a big enough bowl to prevent spills.

How to Keep Cool at Home in the Summer | MyBoysen

Simple Switches in the Home

Sometimes it’s not enough to just keep yourself cool through icy drinks. Here are some simple switches you can do at home to keep it cool.

  1. A lot of heat enter the home through windows. Close your curtains at home to prevent direct sunlight from getting inside. It’s even better if you have blackout curtains which provides more protection from heat and light getting inside.
  2. If you haven’t made the switch yet, now is the right time to invest in more energy efficient light bulbs. The usual incandescent bulbs give out too much excess heat which contributes to your home’s indoor temperature.
  3. One of the worst feelings in the world is sticking to your bedsheets on a hot summer night. Ditch your stuffy sheets and switch to a more breathable material like linen, bamboo, cotton, or Tencel fabrics which wick away more moisture than other types of materials.

How to Keep Cool at Home in the Summer | MyBoysen

Keep your Home Cool from the Outside

Still not cool enough for you? When all else fails, it’s time to bring out the big guns. Here are some ways to cool your home from the outside. Some of these might require a bigger investment, but trust me, it’s worth it.

  1. Get your green thumb on and plant more trees around the perimeter of your home. Trees and plants provide naturally cooling shade around your home. Even if it may take years until you see the benefits of your labor, the best time to start is now.
  2. Paint your house exteriors white (or any light, neutral shade). Just like it may feel hotter for you when you wear dark-colored clothes during summer, your house feels the same way too! Light colors reflect more infrared rays from the surface of your home, lessening the heat that enters your home. (Read: A Classic and Clean Look: The Versatility of White for Home Exteriors).
  3. Last but certainly not the least, your roof. A lot of heat enters your home through the roof. And, unlike windows, you just can’t just cover them up with curtains. Like our suggestion for exterior walls, paint your roofs a nice, light color. Take a step further and just paint it white! It can reflect so much heat back to the atmosphere so it doesn’t warm up your home. Try using Boysen Cool Shades, it’s a heat-reflecting roof paint. While white is the best choice to cool your home, it’s also available in other shades that can match your home’s style. (Read: How to Beat the Summer Heat with Roof Paint).

How to Keep Cool at Home in the Summer | MyBoysen

Earth Day

Also, in case you didn’t know, it’s Earth Day today! Let’s please, please, please take the time to educate ourselves in the different ways we can help our planet thrive.  We can always find ways to be mindful of the limited resources that we have in this planet. There are options such as rainwater harvesting, composting, proper recycling, and just overall lessening our consumption. The change doesn’t have to be too big or too difficult. Even small switches can make a big impact like what we discussed in this article. What do you think are some other ways we can help Mother Earth? Write a comment down below and let us know. Stay cool, friends.

Boysen believes in sustainability. Click on the link to see the company’s green initiatives.

Author

Inah is an avid overplanner with a manic desire to organize everything. She dedicates most of her time and attention to her two chunky dogs, Prince and Peanut. If there's a bit of extra time on hand, she will spring clean her entire house.

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