Guest Post

How To Keep Your Apartment Cool in The Hot Weather

With summer in full swing, apartment living can get challenging — to say the least. With temperatures rising in the city, those living in apartments end up bearing the brunt of the season, but apartment living doesn’t have to mean melting when August comes around. Whether you’re relying on a handy AC unit or prefer some more creative tricks, there are plenty of ways to keep you cool this season. To keep you comfortable, we’ve got the top three cooling ideas to help you beat the heat this summer!

Invest In a Portable AC Unit

If you’re not up for the hassle of installing a window unit and don’t have the benefit of central air, portable air conditioners are worth a try. These units can be wheeled from room to room and provide the same cooling effect of a window unit. Once you’ve read some reviews to find the best portable air conditioner for your budget, all you’ll have to do is pop the exhaust outlet in the window and wait for your room to get to the perfect temperature. Can’t get much easier than that!

Utilize Your Windows Blinds

Air conditioning isn’t for everyone. Whether a portable unit is out of your budget or you’re trying to take a green approach to cooling, there are plenty of reasons to look for alternative methods. Luckily, you probably have everything you already need to keep your apartment cool this summer!
If you’re ditching the AC this year, it’s important to focus on preparation. For example, you’ll want to make sure that your drapes are closed throughout the day. This way you can avoid creating a type of greenhouse effect and turning your beautiful apartment into a not-so-trendy sauna. Be sure to invest in some light-colored blinds for the summer, as this can work to reflect instead of absorbing the sun’s heat. In addition, be sure to keep your windows closed during the day and opened once the sun goes down.

Fans Are Your Friends

If you’re going without an AC unit, you’ve probably already got a few fans stashed around your apartment, but you’ll want to make sure you’re using them properly to get all the benefits you can out of them.
For those with ceiling fans, you’ll want to make sure your fan is set to run counter-clockwise and at a higher speed. This way, you’ll be able to cycle cool air throughout the room and feel a slight breeze beneath the fan. Additionally, if you have enough windows in your home, you may be able to create a type of wind tunnel in your home throughout the night. In one window, keep a fan against the window and blowing the cool night air inside. On the other side of the apartment, try pressing a fan against the window blowing the hot air from your home outside.

If you live in a city, summer doesn’t have to be the worst time of year. In fact, with a few tips and tricks, summer may very well become one of your favorite seasons all over again! If you’re using an air conditioner, the high temperatures will be a breeze. If you’re going green this season, be sure to plan and prep as much as possible: open blinds and windows at the proper times, using fans to the best of your ability, and be sure to limit things like stovetop cooking to the evening hours.