A cool and comfortable apartment is the perfect haven when
you want to beat the heat this summer. There are many ways to keep your Boston
apartment cool without overtaxing your cooling system. Cooling your apartment
efficiently will reduce the environmental impact of your everyday life while
ensuring you enjoy lower utility bills all season long.
Use Window Coverings
UV radiation from the sun can heat the air inside your home
and affect your comfort during the summer. Your Alta At The Estate apartment
includes window coverings for both decorative and functional purposes. Using
your window covers during the morning and afternoon on windows that face south can
cut down on the amount of direct sunlight you receive through your windows. Even
closing the shades partway to allow some light inside will still reduce the
amount of solar heating that affects your apartment.
Use Your Microwave
Using your stove and oven to cook can actually heat up your
apartment. However, using your microwave won’t contribute heat to the ambient
air. During the summer, consider using your energy-efficient microwave whenever
possible to prepare meals and snacks. You’ll save energy while cooking and
prevent excess heat from escaping into your home and affecting the indoor
temperature.
Use CFLs
Normal incandescent light bulbs create light by heating a
filament inside the bulb until it glows. As a result, these bulbs give off heat
when they create light. Although this heating effect is small, it can add up
when you have many lights on at the same time. Switching to compact
fluorescent lamps, or CFLs, can save you money on your electric bill while
also keeping your apartment cooler. CFLs don’t produce light via heat, so they
also won’t contribute to heating inside your apartment, no matter how many
lamps you are using at once.
Use Nighttime
Ventilation
If you want to let fresh air into your apartment, the best
time to do it is at night. Keep your windows and doors closed during the day,
when the weather is more hot and humid. (It’s also a good idea to check the
weatherstripping on doors and windows; let your apartment maintenance service
know if weatherstripping needs to be replaced.) When the temperature drops at
night, open your windows to allow fresh air to enter. Opening two windows at
opposite ends of your apartment can create a cross-breeze that will help to
cool you off naturally without the need for air conditioning or a fan.
Use Fans
Fans are a great way to make any room in your apartment feel
cooler and more comfortable. Both ceiling fans and portable fans will achieve
the same effect. It’s important to note that a fan only makes the room feel
cooler by creating a breeze, rather than actually reducing the temperature
inside. Turn fans on only while you are in the room and turn them off when you
leave to save energy. Placing a fan in front of an open window at night can
also help to create a cooling breeze to keep you more comfortable while you sleep.
Alta At The Estate is a luxury apartment community featuring
high-end energy-efficient appliances, beautiful finishes, window coverings, and
more in Watertown, MA. When you choose to live with us, you’ll enjoy chic
modern finishes, easy access to outdoor activities and parks, and much more.
Please visit us on the web, where you
can explore our community and the surrounding neighborhood to
discover the benefits of renting an apartment with us.