As temperatures reach their peak during the Iowa summer, you may find yourself thinking “Is there any way to keep cool even when I’m inside my home?” Rest assured, we’ve got tips for you and your family to stay cool all summer long!
While average temperatures in June, July, and August range from 82 to 85 degrees, we know we often see stretches that hit 90 degrees and above. And let’s face it, when you add humidity even to temperatures in the 80s in Iowa you can quickly reach a range that’s uncomfortable.
Cooling Your Home
We also know there’s no worse feeling than finally escaping the heat of the sun outside, coming into your home for respite, and being hit with hot, humid air the moment you step through the door. But did you know that having a cool home is great for more than just comfort in the summer months? A cool home also means better preservation of your home and belongings, plus there are some nice health benefits, too! Cooler temperatures in homes are associated with better sleep quality and better blood flow.
According to USA Today, The Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program recommends setting air conditioners to 78 degrees for peak comfort when you wake up and optimal energy efficiency. However, a 2021 Consumer Reports survey found that most people don’t follow this recommendation. Actually, none of the respondents selected a temperature warmer than 76 degrees. We can relate! Opt for sticking between 72 and 78 degrees. No matter the temperature you stick with, Energy Star recommends setting the thermostat roughly 4 degrees warmer for sleep, as the temperature will cool at night, and up to 7 degrees warmer when you’re away from home to save money and energy!
Be careful not to set your thermostat too low! The lower you set the temperature, the harder your A/C unit will be working, making it more prone to issues. Not to mention, your bill will skyrocket!
For those of you interested in knowing how adjustments to your thermostat whether you are heating or cooling can impact your bill, here’s what the U.S. The Department of Energy has to say. The exact savings depend on several factors, including: climate, Insulation, HVAC system efficiency, and outdoor temperature extremes. However, it’s estimated to reduce energy costs by around 1-3% per degree of adjustment for each 8-hour period.
Limit Light
While your A/C unit may provide the best comfort on hot days, it may need a bit of support to get your home to a cool temperature, and keep it there! If you don’t have an A/C unit, these are also tactics you can employ to get a break from the heat!
First, you’ll want to try to minimize the sunlight creeping in. According to the Department of Energy, roughly 75% of sunlight that falls on a standard double-pane window enters your home to become heat. It’s why if you’re sitting in a living room full of windows during the summertime, you may feel like you’re in a greenhouse.
Put your blinds and curtains to work! If you don’t have options that limit light shining through, take a look at blackout curtains on Amazon! These are thick, insulated curtains that help to keep the sun and heat out during summer months, and keep the heat in during cooler months!
Weatherstripping
Keeping it cool inside also means working to keep the heat outside! If you’re finding that it feels impossible to keep your home cool, it may be a good time to check the weather stripping on your doors and windows. Look for places you can see light shining through. If you’re unsure, light a candle to see if the flame or smoke is moving in an abnormal direction—this is a helpful indicator of a gap!
Luckily, weatherstripping is something you can do yourself!
Try Low- or No-Cook Meals
Before you start planning meals for the week, look at the forecast.
Many of your kitchen appliances may bring more heat into your home than you think. Limiting the use of your stovetop and oven can make a big difference—think about the high temperatures you’re using to cook!
So on those warmest days, if you plan ahead, that might be the ideal day to grill out! Or if you want to bake something, consider batch cooking it on a cooler day so you only have to turn on your oven once that week. For example, you can roast all of your veggies at once and then reheat them or add them to other menu items throughout the week.
You can also use other smaller kitchen appliances such as air flyers, slow cookers, and even convection ovens that create less heat. But the best way is to lean into low or no-cook meals during the dog days of summer. Some of our favorite no-or-low-cook meals include pasta salads (make a big batch at the start of the week), sandwiches, salads, fruit, and more!
Moving to the Basement
For those who have a basement, sometimes the best thing to do in the summer is to move as many activities as possible below ground. Why? Because basement floors and walls stay cooler. That’s because your basement is built with concrete that has a direct connection to the ground. The ground typically stays about 55 degree Fahrenheit year round. And while your basement won’t be that cool, it will offer a respite from warmer air on higher floors. So, move that TV viewing or board game playing to the basement if you can!
Iowa Rentals Not Required to Have Air Conditioning
We also wanted to take a moment to point out a fact many may not know. For those who rent their homes or apartments, Iowa law does not require air conditioning to be provided. So it’s important when you are looking for a rental to ask about it. It’s particularly important to remind yourself to do this if you are looking in cooler months, because often air conditioning is not top of mind when you are experiencing an Iowa winter.
On that note, Iowa law does mandate that landlords provide tenants with heating for the cold winter months. But there’s no complementary regulations for cooling during the hot summer months, unless landlords voluntarily offer to provide it in rental agreements.
So what should you do if you live in a rental that has no air conditioning? Apartment List offers some great tips:
- Cool Your Pulse Points. Place a cold pack on your wrists, neck, ankles, or forehead (near the temples) to keep cool.
- Take a Cold Shower. It doesn’t have to be an ice cold shower. Any temperature that is comfortable and cool can feel like a spa-worthy experience.
- Buy Cooling Sheets. These sheets are worth the price if you select one with high quality. They are often made from breathable fibers such as cotton, microfiber, or bamboo, They boast moisture-wicking properties that can help you avoid waking up in a pool of sweat. The sheets may not be inexpensive, but they can make a difference if it’s an option you can afford.
- Sleep Low to the Ground. As we know, warm air rises, and cool air falls.
- Adjust Your Ceiling Fan. Your fan should rotate counterclockwise for maximum coolness in the summer months. Most come equipped with a switch that changes the direction of the fan’s blades as they spin, so you can set your ceiling fan to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. Although this might not seem like a big deal, adjusting your ceiling fan can make a difference. The counterclockwise rotation forces cold air down, while the clockwise rotation is designed to create an updraft, circulating the warm air in the room.
Keeping Pets Cool
Now that we’ve talked about your home or your rental, we also want to talk about our furry friends. According to Forbes, 66% of U.S. households (86.9 million homes) own a pet. So, many of us are focused on how to ensure we can keep them healthy in the heat. The National Human Society offers some great recommendations on how to keep your pets safe.
On hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours. Try to walk your dog on grass instead of asphalt and add ice to the water you should carry with you. When you get home, make some quick and easy pupsicles to keep them cool inside and out.
If your dog seems overheated, apply ice packs or cold towels to their head, neck and chest or run cool (not cold) water over them.
There are many ways to stay cool and enjoy Iowa summers for both you and your furry friends. And, if you’re preparing to buy or sell a home in the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids Corridor, reach out to one of our 60+ agents. They are happy to assist, and along the way, can help you evaluate how well the home is prepared to stay cool in a heatwave!
