8 Simple Ways to Keep Your Home Cool and Comfortable

When temperatures rise, keeping your home cool can become a daily challenge. Cranking the air conditioning may seem like the answer, but it often leads to higher energy bills. Fortunately, there are practical ways to stay comfortable without overworking your cooling system or spending a lot.

These eight tips work well for both small apartments and larger homes, helping you create a cooler, more comfortable indoor environment throughout the summer.

1. Use Your Air Conditioner Efficiently

Your air conditioner plays a big role in keeping your home cool, but how you use it matters just as much as having it. Set your thermostat around 78°F when you’re home and raise it a few degrees when you’re out to avoid unnecessary energy use. Change your AC filters regularly, since clogged filters make your unit work harder, which increases energy consumption and shortens its lifespan.

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Even with proper use, older systems can become less effective or start showing signs of wear. Reduced airflow, strange noises, or uneven cooling are early signs of trouble. When it comes to cooling maintenance, repair and installation services, make sure you reach out to companies that have trained professionals and prior experience working with these systems.

2. Use Ceiling Fans Effectively

Ceiling fans can make a room feel up to four degrees cooler, but only if they’re spinning in the right direction. In the summer, make sure the blades are rotating counterclockwise to push cool air down.

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Fans don’t actually lower the room’s temperature—they just make you feel cooler. So turn them off when you leave the room to save energy. If you don’t have ceiling fans, floor or table fans can still help improve air circulation and keep things feeling fresh.

3. Seal Gaps and Cracks

Small air leaks around windows, doors, and baseboards can let hot air in and cool air out, making your home warmer and your AC work harder.

A simple weekend project like adding weatherstripping to doors and using caulk around windows can make a big difference. Not only does it help keep cool air inside, but it also improves your home’s overall energy efficiency. Check for gaps in areas where cables or pipes enter the house too—these are often overlooked.

4. Switch to LED Lighting

Traditional incandescent bulbs give off a surprising amount of heat. When you have multiple lights on during the day, that extra warmth adds up fast.

LED bulbs stay cool and use a lot less electricity. They also last much longer, which means fewer trips to the store. Swapping out your bulbs is a quick and easy change that helps keep your home cooler and lowers your electric bill at the same time.

5. Avoid Using the Oven on Hot Days

Using the oven can raise the temperature in your kitchen and nearby rooms by several degrees. On really hot days, it’s better to cook outside on the grill, use a slow cooker, or go for meals that don’t require any cooking at all.

Microwaves and toaster ovens are good alternatives, too. They don’t produce as much heat and still get the job done. Planning your meals around the weather might sound like a small thing, but it can make a noticeable difference in how comfortable your home feels.

6. Install a Programmable Thermostat

If you’re still adjusting your thermostat by hand, it might be time for an upgrade. A programmable thermostat lets you set a schedule so your home stays cool when you need it to be—and saves energy when you don’t.

Certain smart thermostats are designed to recognize your daily routine and adjust settings accordingly. Many also offer remote control through a mobile app, making it easy to change the temperature even when you’re not home.

Even just setting your system to run less when you’re sleeping or not home can lead to real savings and less wear on your AC.

7. Add Indoor Plants for Natural Cooling

Plants don’t just look nice—they also help cool your home. Some types of plants release moisture into the air through a process called transpiration, which can slightly lower indoor temperatures and improve air quality.

Good options include aloe vera, ferns, and snake plants. They’re low-maintenance and great for people who are new to plant care. Place them near windows or sunny spots to get the best results.

While they won’t replace your air conditioner, a few well-placed plants can help make your home feel fresher and more comfortable.

8. Insulate Your Attic and Walls

Insulation isn’t just for keeping heat in during the winter—it’s also key for keeping it out during the summer. If your home is poorly insulated, you might be losing cool air through the roof and walls without even realizing it.

Focus on areas like the attic, crawl spaces, and outer walls. You don’t need to do it all at once, but improving insulation where you can will help your home stay cooler and lower your energy bills over time.

Even small upgrades, like adding insulation around ductwork or sealing the attic door, can make a difference.

Keeping your home cool in the summer doesn’t always mean blasting the air conditioner around the clock. You don’t need to do everything at once. Start with one or two changes and build from there. Over time, these small steps can make a big difference in how your home feels.

Try a few of these tips and see what works best for your space. And if you’ve got your own go-to ways to beat the heat, feel free to share them—we’re always looking for more cool ideas.