7 Ways to Beat the Heat
When temperatures are rising outside, here are some tips to keep you cool and comfortable this summer.
1. Get Smart About Thermostats
With a Honeywell Home smart thermostat, you won’t have to worry about being overheated or too chilly. The home will have a temperature that’s “just right.” As people move throughout their day, the thermostat will help keep the house at an ideal temperature to maximize energy savings when you are away from home and cool the house when you are at home.
2. Create Ideal Environments
According to recent product research from Resideo, 60% of homes have a room that’s uncomfortable – like a bedroom over the garage – and that is difficult to balance. As such, you may want individual rooms to be a certain temperature depending on the time of day.
Creating such a system is a snap if you have a smart thermostat with smart-room sensors, like the Honeywell Home T9 or T10+ Pro Smart Thermostats. You can prioritize the temperature in the rooms you spend the most time in. For example, if the kids have friends over and are playing video games downstairs, you can keep them comfortable and deliver the right temperature to the right room at the right time. Likewise, at night – you can select the ideal temperature for sleeping so the entire family can sleep at the optimal temperature.
3. Pay Attention to Humidity
When temperatures reach above 50° Fahrenheit, indoor humidity should not exceed 50%. Higher than that and you may start to see mold appear throughout your house. The best solution is a professionally installed whole-home dehumidification system, which helps you monitor and manage your home’s moisture levels. Resideo’s DR120 Dehumidifier can remove up to 120 pints of moisture per day – that’s 15 gallons of humidity taken out of your home a day.
4. Get Your Ductwork in a Row
Improving indoor air quality (IAQ) doesn’t need to be complicated. One of the simplest, yet most effective ways to remove airborne odors and VOCs is cleaning the air that travels through the home’s ducts. A UV treatment system or air purifier is just the ticket. UV treatment can eliminate live airborne particles and surface mold that may otherwise go undetected and grow in duct systems and cooling coils.
5. Go Light on Light
An open window makes a room hot in a hurry, so keep the curtains or blinds drawn during the hottest part of the day. You can block out up to 80% of solar heat with cellular shades, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
6. Be Mindful of Appliance Usage
Household appliances like ovens, stoves, and dishwashers generate heat when in use. During hot days, try to limit the use of these appliances, especially during peak daylight hours. Instead, opt for no-cook meals or use outdoor grills to keep the indoor temperature in check.
7. Create Shade Outdoors
A great way to prevent the sun from turning your home into a sauna is by creating shade outdoors. Planting trees strategically can provide natural shade to your house, reducing the direct impact of the sun. Installing awnings or umbrellas for patios and windows can also help keep the interior cooler.
By incorporating these tips into your daily routine, you can keep your home cool, comfortable, and eco-friendly throughout the summer. For more smart-home tips, and to ensure your home has the latest solutions to beat the heat, give DFT Security a call at 716-673-3000.