Mistake #1: Not putting ceiling fans to good use.

Dependable ceiling fans are among the most effective cooling aids you should have on hand. 

If your home needs high-quality fans, there’s no time like the present to buy and install some. 

Some people consider ceiling fans to be ineffective alternatives to air conditioning. 

But the right ceiling fans can be a tremendous boon to your summertime cooling efforts – provided, of course, they’re properly utilized.

 
Ceiling fans can work with your mini split AC or central air conditioning system by distributing the cool air it produces to every area of your home.

By adjusting the fans’ blades to turn counterclockwise, they can produce a downward-flowing cooling breeze.

Ceiling fans are available in a wide range of styles and sizes. If you’re looking to purchase a fan for an area with limited ceiling space, a good flush-mount ceiling fan should be just right for you.

Ovens can generate a fair amount of heat, so much, in fact, that any room adjacent to the oven will likely feel its residual heat. 

While this can be somewhat convenient throughout the winter, it’s nothing short of uncomfortable during the sweaty summer months. 

Make it a point to limit oven use over the summer, especially during daylight hours. 

If you can’t help it, at least wait until the sun has gone down before using it.

While being without an oven can present some culinary complications, it can also open up a host of exciting new food prep opportunities. 

You may be surprised by how many health-conscious, oven-free recipes are available. If you’re fond of backyard barbecues, there’s no better time of year to give the old grill a thorough cleaning and throw on some burgers. 

By the time fall rolls around and you’ve expanded your culinary repertoire, you may actually be grateful to have been pulled out of your comfort zone.

Although sunlight can add natural lighting to your home, it can also contribute to excessively warm indoor temperatures, especially during the summer. 

Minimize the amount of direct sunlight entering your home during daylight hours. 

You can do this by closing your curtains and/or blinds when the sun is out, and by investing in thermal curtains or blackout curtains. 

These specialized window dressings are composed of thick thermal materials that help keep indoor sunlight to a minimum. Thermal curtains can also help prevent cool air from your AC from escaping and hot air from outdoors from entering. 

Additionally, quality window treatments with privacy and light control features offer the dual benefit of maintaining your home's privacy while regulating temperature, making them a practical investment for year-round comfort.

During the winter months, these curtains help keep warm air in and cool air out.

Cooling an entire house throughout the summer months is no picnic – just ask any homeowner.

Depending on the size of your home and the area, running your AC all summer long can significantly deplete your finances. 

Luckily, there are several easy steps you can take to cool your humble abode more efficiently and cost-effectively. 

Avoid the three common mistakes above to enjoy a consistently cool home this summer without spending a fortune.