What can you do when it’s hot outside, but one of the simplest (and most affordable) solutions – opening a window – isn’t an option? We’ve compiled a list of 8 budget friendly ways you can cool your home while keeping the windows shut.
Written by
Published on
September 5, 2023
Western Canada has experienced unseasonably warm weather this month, with some communities across Alberta and British Columbia setting springtime records. As a result of increased temperatures, many individuals are already opening windows in the hopes of cooling their homes. Unfortunately, Alberta wildfires have also blanketed much of the province in smoke and ash, resulting in increased air pollution and advisories to limit outdoor exposure.
So what can you do when it’s hot outside, but one of the simplest (and most affordable) solutions – opening a window – isn’t an option? We’ve compiled a list of 8 budget friendly ways you can cool your home while keeping the windows shut.
Turn on fans throughout the house to promote air flow and cooling. Some homes have ceiling fans but if not, there are many budget-friendly options for small, portable fans. You can also place a bowl of ice under the fan to cool circulating air (if you have young children in your home, ensure there is a proper guard on the fan).
With the windows closed, smoky air is trapped outside; however, daylight can still stream through and heat the interior. Creating shade using blinds or curtains is a great way to cool your home. If you don’t have curtains or blinds, you can hang spare blankets or sheets to block the light.
In the same way sunlight can heat your home, lights turned on in the house can as well. Incandescent light bulbs produce more heat and are worth replacing with LED bulbs, which emit less heat, use less energy, and last longer. And if you’re not using a room, you can turn off the lights!
PS: Consider attending one of our Energy Saving Workshops to learn more about how to save energy in your home.
Maybe you’ve noticed certain areas in the home are significantly warmer than others, while rooms are cooler. Do a lap of the house and get creative – closing doors to trap the heat in rooms where it’s already hot and keeping cooler areas cool.
Heat rises, so your basement will often remain colder than the rest of the house. Perhaps you don’t have a basement, but you’ve noticed certain areas stay cooler throughout the day. Explore your house and search for the most comfortable temperature. Hang out in these areas until the rest of your house begins to feel more comfortable.
If all else fails and you’re still unable to bring your temperature down, taking a cold shower will do the trick. You can also wet a cold cloth and drape it over your neck or forehead while you go about your day.
Find more great ideas for creating a ‘Cooling Kit’ using the Aboriginal Housing Management Association’s ‘How to Guide.’
At minimum, ensure your household is drinking lots of water to prevent dehydration. But refreshments don’t have to stop with H2O. Delicious and cold, there’s a reason ice-cream is a summer staple. You could also have a glass of cold juice, try making a smoothie or iced coffee, or homemade popsicles.
We hope you find these tips helpful as we head into the summer months. And don’t forget to check on your neighbours, especially seniors in your community, who may need a little extra support keeping their homes cool.
Kambo Team
Content Writer
Kambo Energy Group respectfully acknowledges the unceded Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Territories, on which many of our team live and work. We also gratefully acknowledge the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations), on which our team also lives and works.
