As the warmer summer months are moving in, now is the time to start thinking about keeping cool! Here are some of our big tips for staying cool all summer long: 

BLOCK THE RAYS

You may have filled your place with apartment-friendly plants, but unless you want your home feeling like an actual greenhouse, we suggest limiting the light that enters your apartment during the daylight hours. Closing your blinds or drawing your drapes can prevent heat gain by 45 percent, lower indoor temperatures significantly, and save you money on the utility bill. Blackout curtains are a sure-fire way to keep the sunshine out of your apartment, but make sure the ones added to your cart have a light-colored backside to reflect rays far, far away. 

INSULATION STATION

Did you know the cool air you’re paying for could be slipping right out your front door? Luckily, if your apartment isn’t equipped with tightly sealed doors and windows, there are affordable solutions to keep the chilled air in and the hot air out. Weather-stripping your space requires placing adhesive strips on areas susceptible to draft. It can be purchased at your local hardware store, is easily installed, and is often made of malleable foam or rubber material. Ensuring the air you’re paying for stays in your apartment where it belongs will keep your home and bills cooler.

POWER DOWN TO COOL OFF

If you’re paying for AC yet constantly running heat-generating appliances in your apartment, you may be sabotaging your own chill. Whether you’re regularly using the dishwasher, computer, curling wand, or stovetop— appliances big and small generate heat and contribute to a warmer apartment.

We’re giving you an excuse to put off doing the dishes or making dinner just a few more hours. Waiting to use large appliances during the cooler hours of the night and early morning could help you stay cool and collected while keeping energy bills low. 

ADJUST THE LIGHTING

What if your lightbulb moment for staying cool this summer is ditching the lightbulbs altogether? Some of the heat swirling around your apartment could be from the lights you’re using. Incandescent bulbs are inefficient and waste nearly 90 percent of their energy by emitting heat throughout your home. LED lights are one possible solution. Cool to the touch, these eco-friendly lights emit significantly less heat. Switching to more energy-efficient lights can lower your indoor temperature and electric bill.

MAKE TIME FOR YOUR FANS

Fans are a great way to keep your apartment cooler while reducing sometimes-pricey AC. While fans don’t necessarily cool the air, air movement effectively cools people. If you really want to feel more comfortable inside, you’ll want to do more than just flip a switch. 

The first thing you should know is that not all blade-spinning directions are created equal. Clockwise fans will warm the room as it pulls air upwards. Conversely, counterclockwise fans will push air downward, keeping the room breezier by creating air circulation. Creating good air circulation in your apartment will expel health-harming pollutants, remove stagnant air, and regulate indoor temperatures.

CHECK THE AIR FILTERS

Air filters are great for trapping dust and other pesky pollutants, but if yours are past due for a change, your apartment could be warmer, your HVAC system is working harder, and your bills are getting larger. The Palm Team replaced your filters before you moved in, but you’ll want to ensure the job is done once you have the keys, and replace the filters every 30 days. 

TWEAK THE THERMOSTAT

We’ll end our apartment cooling tips on perhaps the most obvious fix. Chances are, if your place is too stuffy, the first place you’ll be running to is the thermostat to adjust the temperature. Cranking the AC all summer can leave you with a nauseatingly high electric bill, so knowing how to best utilize the thermostat is in the best interest of you and your wallet.

It's helpful to note that no matter how low you set your thermostat, the unit will push out cool air at a steady speed. Setting an 80-degree apartment to 60 will not ensure a quicker cool-down period, but a longer one. The system will simply continue creating cool air until the set temperature is reached. For this reason, save money by gradually dropping temps to reach your desired temp, or by simply setting your thermostat to the desired temperature.

To save even more dough, turn the thermostat up while you’re out and off when you’re out of town. Consider investing in a smart thermostat to regulate temps for maximum efficiency.