Beating the Heat in a Rental Apartment
Summer is right around the corner, which means its time to decide how you plan to cool your rental this summer. Even if your rental has central A/C or overhead fans, you may still want to consider using some of these ideas to keep your utility bills low.
Channel your inner MacGyver Create a misting effect by placing a metal mixing bowl full of ice in front of a fan. Tilt the bowl so that the fan blows directly onto the ice. When the air hits the cubes, it will release a cool, misty breeze that chills the whole room.
Get a metal mixing bowl and ice cube trays on Amazon.
Cotton, cotton, cotton! Cotton is the way to go in the summer because of its light weight and breathability. Even better, it’s more likely to stay cool to the touch, which feels the best on sweltering summer nights.
Put a Box Fan in the Window Set up your fans in windows or hallways so you get an awesome cross breeze, drawing in cooler air from one part of your home (or outside) and pushing the warm air elsewhere. To get the most out of your efforts with this method, crack a window on the main floor of the house, while widely opening a window on the second floor on the opposite side of the home, with a fan in that one sucking the air out. Since heat rises, you’ll more quickly get the hot air out and cool air in.
Invest in Curtains Up to 30 percent of unwanted heat comes through your windows. Utilizing shades, curtains and the like can save you up to 7 percent on your bills and lower indoor temperatures by up to 20 degrees. To make this action even more efficient, get light-colored blinds that will reflect rather than absorb the sun’s heat, and open them again at night when it’s cool.
