Cool for the Summer: 6 Eco-Friendly Home Cooling Tips

Stay cool this summer with 6 eco-friendly home cooling tips, helping you save energy and keep your home comfortable sustainably.

When sustainable home decor trends dominated our online feeds a few years ago, they became more than a fad. Homeowners wanted their homes to be eco-friendly habitats, and kind to the environment.

Sustainable living has become a lifestyle, a mindful choice adopted by people across the globe. The UN Environment Program describes the term as understanding how our lifestyle choices impact the world, prompting us to live better and lighter.

While some parts of the U.S. deal with summer’s ever-present glare, homeowners are considering alternatives to traditional home cooling techniques. 

In this article, we’ll discuss eco-friendly cooling tips that will keep your home cool for the summer.

1. Upgrade Your HVAC System

Did you know air conditioning accounts for 4% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions? Thankfully, that number is set to drop as companies race to lower the environmental footprint of the appliance.

According to The Pulse, several companies are leading the development of next-generation air conditioners designed to be more efficient and have a small environmental footprint. 

If your HVAC system is older than a decade, consider replacing it. HowStuffWorks says HVAC systems are latching onto green technologies. Geothermal systems and solar power are just a few innovative techniques to cool or heat homes efficiently.

Doubting which HVAC contractor to employ? It’s best to consult a licensed HVAC directory for quality options and to read positive reviews.

Some websites allow you to get free quotes and to search for licensed and approved HVAC contractors closest to you. The directory is a great tool for businesses to network and find potential clients. 

To get the real deal, use the directory as a search tool for company experience and qualifications.

By verifying companies thoroughly, HVAC-Approved says its directory aims to connect consumers with reliable fully-licensed heating and cooling specialists nationwide.

2. Conduct a Home Energy Audit

Older homes aren’t as well insulated as new builds. Unseen cracks tend to let cold air escape through doors and unsealed windows. Even a poorly insulated attic can be the cause of the escape of cool air.

Cnet suggests signing up for a home energy audit with a utility provider or building contractor. They’ll check your home for leaks and recommend ways to make it more energy-efficient.

Or, you can do a DIY audit. Walk around your home and run your hand around windows and doors. If you feel cool air escaping, remedy the problem by caulking leaky windows and insulating doors.

3. Add Plants

NASA found during its Earth Science Study that by using photosynthesis, plants can alter the temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere.

Not surprisingly, some houseplants display the same ability to keep temperatures down. Found in Florida and Arizona, House Beautiful says Ficus benjamina is a leafy tree that helps to keep the surrounding air moist and cool.

Another option is palm trees like Areca palms and Fern palms. The large leaves contain small stomata which take in CO2 and release oxygen.

4. Window Treatments

Window treatments are a simple solution to cooling down your home. Curtains, blinds and awnings can keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter. A bonus is cutting down your utility bills.

Blackout curtains essentially block the sunlight and stop more heat from entering a room. Depending on the fabrics used, they can block out 99% sunlight. 

Other energy-efficient window treatments are insulated cellular shades, thermal blinds and window films.

5. Ensure your Fans are Working Correctly

You might not know this but your ceiling fan could be spinning in the wrong direction, says Yard Barker. Check the settings on your fan and change the direction to ensure it’s pushing the cool air down into the room.

If you have a freestanding fan, a DIY swamp cooler is perfect for cooling things down on a hot summer day. Place the fan on an ice bucket and watch it do its magic.

6. Paint the Walls

Real Simple advises changing things up by painting your interior walls. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for a hot and stuffy room. Opt for light and refreshing tones like whites, grays and pastels. 

Experts are already hard at work researching hi-tech paints to help cut down on utility costs. In 2023, House Digest reported on a futuristic paint that could help lower the temperature of a building.

While still in the experimental phase, the reflective white paint will have a cooling effect, resulting in the decreased use of air conditioning.  The reduction in energy costs could be as low as 40%, said head researcher Professor Xiulin Ruan.

Well, there you have it; six eco-friendly home cooling tips to suit every type of budget. Now you have no excuse to live a more sustainable lifestyle.

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