7 Budget-Friendly Tips for Keeping Your House Cool in Extreme Heat

/Updated /18 Comments/in /by Mary Hunt

When extreme heat hits, keeping your house cool in extreme heat can feel like a challenge. But it doesn’t have to break the bank. These seven budget-friendly tips will help you stay cool indoors without spiking your utility bills. From practical adjustments to smart home improvements, you’ll find effective ways to beat the heat.

keeping house cool in extreme heat thermometer bright sun orange

Have you figured out ways to keep things cool indoors this summer without sending your utility bills through the stratosphere? If you could use some help in that regard, here are some tips, tricks, and great ideas that will help you stay cool without burning a hole in the budget.

1. Harness the Power of Ceiling Fans to Beat Extreme Heat

Use them liberally! Running a high-efficiency ceiling fan at high speed for 12 hours a day costs less than $5 a month (based on the U.S. average of $0.172 per kWh), according to the Energy Use Calculator. This simple step can make your home feel about 7 degrees cooler just by circulating the air effectively. This means your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard, keeping things comfortable without hiking up your utility bills.

2. Avoid Using the Oven During Scorching Days

When the summer heat is relentless, the last thing you want to do is add more heat to your house by using the oven. Instead, get creative with meals that don’t require baking or roasting. Your slow cooker and Instant Pot can be lifesavers, allowing you to whip up delicious meals without heating up the kitchen. Embrace the season by opting for fresh, vibrant salads—make them the star of your meals. And don’t forget the joy of cooking outdoors. Firing up the grill on a hot day isn’t going to make things any worse inside, and it gives you a chance to enjoy the sunshine while keeping your house cool.

3. Use a Whole House Fan for Cooler Nights

Product Image - QuietCool QC CL-7000 6924 CFM House Fan

QuietCool Whole House Fan

A whole house fan (not to be confused with an attic fan) is a fantastic way to ventilate your home during cooler evenings. Installed in the attic, it pulls in fresh air from outside, typically after the sun sets, making it possible to turn off the air conditioner at night. This helps maintain a comfortable temperature indoors without cranking up the AC all night long.

If you’re handy around the house, installing a whole house fan can be a satisfying DIY project. However, if you’re not comfortable tackling it yourself, a professional can get it up and running in no time. It’s a smart investment that pays off quickly by reducing your reliance on air conditioning. For more information, check out the U.S. Department of Energy website.

Whole House Fans: Efficient Home Cooling

Did you know that a whole house fan can significantly improve your home’s ventilation and cooling? By pulling air in from open windows and exhausting it through the attic and roof, these fans not only cool your living space but also provide excellent attic ventilation. Whole house fans can achieve 15 to 23 air changes per hour, depending on your climate and home layout. This means fresher air and a cooler home without relying solely on air conditioning.

QuietCool Whole House Fan
QuietCool Whole House Fan
    Buy on Amazon

    4. Optimize Your Home’s Cooling with a Programmable Thermostat

    Wyze Programmable Smart WiFi Thermostat

    Maximize your home’s cooling efficiency with a programmable thermostat. This small, affordable device is easy to install yourself, saving you the hassle and expense of hiring a professional. Trust me, it’s an investment that pays for itself in just one summer.

    With a programmable thermostat, you can say goodbye to constantly adjusting the temperature settings based on whether you’re home or not. Simply program it to align with your lifestyle, and enjoy consistent comfort without wasting energy when no one’s around. It’s a simple yet effective way to keep your house cool and your utility bills in check.

    Wyze Programmable Smart WiFi Thermostat
    Wyze Programmable Smart WiFi Thermostat
      Buy on Amazon

      5. Block Out Sunlight with Effective Window Coverings

      When it comes to keeping your house cool, don’t underestimate the power of window coverings. Drapes, blinds, and shades are your best friends—they not only provide privacy but also act as barriers against the sun’s relentless heat. Opt for white blinds over darker shades like taupe for maximum effectiveness in reflecting sunlight.

      But here’s the key: make sure to draw and lower your window coverings early in the morning before the house starts to heat up. This simple step can make a significant difference in maintaining a cool indoor environment throughout the day.

      For ultimate heat-blocking capabilities, consider investing in blackout curtains or drapes. Crafted from specially woven fabric, these curtains prevent the sun’s heat from entering the room, keeping it pleasantly cool even on the hottest days.

      6. Plant Fast-Growing Trees for Natural Shade

      Transform your outdoor space into a cool oasis by strategically planting fast-growing trees. Picture this: lush greenery providing natural shade on your home’s south and west sides, shielding it from the scorching sun. Not only does this enhance your landscape, but it also helps slash your energy bills by up to 25 percent annually.

      But here’s the exciting part—meet the Royal Empress (aka Paulownia) tree, the reigning champion of fast-growing shade trees. This beauty can shoot up to 60 feet in just three years, offering quick relief from the heat. However, before you rush to plant one in your yard, take a moment to weigh the pros and cons. With the right tree selection, you’ll enjoy cooler summers and a greener, more energy-efficient home.

      7. Insulate Your Attic to Retain Cool Air

      Don’t let your hard-earned cool air escape through the roof! If your attic lacks proper insulation, you could be losing precious cooled air faster than you can say “summer savings.” But fear not, there’s a simple solution: insulate your attic to keep the cool air where it belongs—inside your home.

      Check with your utility providers; some offer incentives for homeowners who upgrade their insulation. You might be pleasantly surprised by the cost-effectiveness of insulating your attic, considering the substantial savings you’ll enjoy on your cooling and heating bills. It’s an investment that pays off in comfort and savings for years to come.

       

      It’s your turn! How do you keep your house cool in extreme heat? Add it in the comments below. 

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      18 replies
      1. Lynn Elston says:

        Any experience with thermal UV blocking window film? I’ve got blackout curtains but feel like I live in a cave … a cool cave, but a cave!

        Reply
      2. Diana H. says:

        If you have an air fryer, you can use it on hot days, so you don’t heat up the house. I live in Florida and while we grill out, there are days when it is so hot, I’d rather stay inside and use the air fryer and look out the window. 🙂

        Our electric company is now proposing electric hikes! Yikes!

        Reply
      3. Sandra says:

        We live in AZ. During the summer the thermostat is set to 80° when we are home. Very comfortable when it is 30° warmer outside. Whenever we go out we raise the thermostat to 82°. In the mornings when it is in the 70s outside we open the windows.

        Reply
      4. Amy says:

        As a child, I can remember my daddy putting in a ceiling fan. We used it at night. Oh how wonderful the cool air was. Our curtains almost stood straight out from our windows. We didn’t have air conditioning. In the summer, my sister and I spent a lot of time in our basement during the day. It was at least 15 to 20 degrees cooler than the upstairs. I miss the basement.

        Reply
      5. Joyce Spencer says:

        Living without air conditioning in the foothills of So California, we have attic insulation, attic ventilator that activates at 90 degrees, whole house fan for the evening, insulated windows. The flat part of the roof is painted white. We open doors and windows in the evenings and close up in the mornings. Have lived in our 1926 house for 40 years and been pretty comfy.

        Reply
      6. Charlie says:

        Set your A/C thermostat at 75. Let it cool and dehumidify the air, then use a fan to move the air. Periodically, splash cold water on the inside of your wrists and arms. It sounds silly, but it really cools. Slow down when it is hot. It helps to keep you from getting over-heated. Drink beverages with lots of ice.

        Reply
      7. Dorothea Giordano says:

        We love fresh air! Living in dry Colorado, almost every summer night is cool enough that we can turn off the air conditioning and use window fans to cool down the house. This saves us a bundle, and it is better for the environment as well.

        Reply
      8. Lynn Smith says:

        If all else fails, fill the bathtub with lukewarm water and soak yourself a while. You very own swimming pool.

        Reply
      9. Sheri Parker says:

        I open the windows upstairs and down when I get up at 6 AM. Convection of hotter air rising and exiting out upstairs with cooler air coming in downstairs seems to cool everything off by 8 AM. Then I close the windows downstairs and turn on the ceiling fans. We also have a thick curtain at the bottom of the stairs ti keep cooler air down. Work s great in winter to keep warmer air down and then open at night for sleeping upstairs.

        Reply
      10. Whizzy says:

        DIY Warm Windows!! This is a great reminder to get going on my sewing machine. I usually think about this in the winter because we seem to lose a lot of heat through our windows but it’s a great idea during the summer heat. We don’t have A/C and we don’t have an attic so fans & blinds are our only option. Several years ago, I bought materials to make Warm Window coverings. Usually, you seal them around your windows, but we have a beautiful log home that I don’t want to ruin aesthetically by putting Velcro all around the windows. I’m going to make Roman shades. The insulating Warm Window material is on the side towards the windows with decorative fabric on the inside.

        Reply
      11. Sharon says:

        I am in Texas, unfortunately. All week the temps are going to be 102 or above with zero change of rain. We have heavy insulation in the attic, double paned vinyl windows, trees planted in the front yard that are big and shade the front of the house, insulated drapes etc. and it’s still hot. Thermostat is set on 71. When you go outside you are blasted with heat. It is getting unbearable no matter what you do. Your ideas are good but with temps over 100 degrees, not too much of anything works other than putting your head in a freezer every once in a while. There is no end in site either.

        Reply
      12. Ed says:

        Back in the great recession (’08) I was laid off and suddenly qualified for my state’s weatherization grant program. My home is from the 40s. They did an energy audit, vapor barrier underneath and insulation in the attic, under the floor and blown into the walls. It made a world of difference. I already had new windows but they will do that too, as well as update/repair heating and air systems.

        Reply
        • Mary Hunt says:

          Which state do you live in, Ed? This is great information and could be the kind of program available in other state’s as well. Thanks!

          Reply
          • Julie says:

            I also had the weatherization done around that time. I live in Wisconsin and it was an income based program. My husband had lost his job and even though our house was newer, it had a ton of leaks

      13. Laura says:

        Replacing my single-pane windows with better insulated double-pane ones might not technically pay for itself anytime soon because it was expensive; but, it sure is a lot more comfortable.

        Reply
      14. Holly says:

        On Fast Growing trees, Here on the prairie in my part of MO. We have lots of wind and many of the fast growing trees lost branches or blow over. I would suggest research as you said and get a good tree that will last a lifetime and limbs won’t break so easy. Remember not to plant over sewer lines etc.

        Reply
        • Lindi says:

          I was thinking the same thing. We have hurricanes here in south Florida and a fast growing tree is prone to break or blow over.
          Also, never plant a tree under power lines. Kinda goes without saying but I see a lot of folks in my area that did not get the memo.

          Reply

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