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May 12, 2023 | Energy Efficiency | 29 comments

7 ways to keep your home comfortable during seasonal temperature shifts

As the weather warms up, try these easy ways to stay cool.

During this time of year, it’s nice to be able to hold off using your air conditioning when you can, but as temperatures fluctuate, hotter days may call for a few new ideas to keep things cool. We’ve put together seven effortless ways you can beat the heat on warmer days while still being mindful about energy savings and when to run your A/C system.

1. Set ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise 

Ceiling fan with arrows indicating a counterclockwise rotation

In warmer months, switch your ceiling fans to a counterclockwise rotation. (Check to see if there is a small toggle switch on the fan’s base. For remote-controlled fans, check your remote for a “REV” button.) Since heat rises, this helps push hot air down to create a cool breeze that can reduce room temperatures by about 4 degrees. It also can help keep a rooms temperature consistent throughout the day, so once you do turn on your A/C, it will help cut down on how much your system must run. 

2. Get a cross breeze going

A living room with two open windows, with illustrations of a cool breeze blowing in

Let nature work for you. Open windows on opposite sides of your house to create a beautiful cross breeze. NOTE: If it’s hotter outside than inside and there is no breeze, close all windows and use tip #3. 

3. Close your curtains or shades 

Woman closing the shades on a sunny window

For windows that take a direct hit from the sun, close your curtains and/or shades during the most intense times of the day. Windows let heat enter your home, so this simple suggestion is a great way to keep the cool in and the heat out. On days when temperatures are cooler, you can open those curtains to let sunlight and warmth in. 

4. Close doors to unused rooms

This keeps any cross breeze moving more efficiently throughout the areas of your home you use the most. It is one of the easiest ways to help your living space stay cooler. 

5. Limit use of your stove, dishwasher and dryer during the day 

These appliances heat up your home fast. Run your dishwasher and dryer after the sun goes down.  

6. Position fans low to the ground

Child sitting on the floor facing a portable room fan and eating a slice of watermelon

If you have portable room fans, make sure they are in a corner and low. This helps circulate cooler air throughout the room. (Cool air is denser so it’s closer to the ground.)  

7. Use a dehumidifier

Room dehumidifier placed in a living room

While dehumidifiers don’t technically cool a room, they do remove moisture from hot air. This makes a room feel cooler by drying the air, which not only makes it more comfortable but healthier as well. Find ENERGY STAR® certified humidifiers for your home on our website. 

Remember, heat stroke is serious. Please don’t push yourself to the point of overheating. Use your A/C when you need it! And stay inside during the hottest hours of the day.  

 

29 Comments

  1. Barbara Smith

    Excellent tips! I’m always confused as to which way to turn my ceiling fan blades seasonally.

    Reply
    • Barbara Smith

      Good tips especially which way to turn my fan blades.

      Reply
  2. Paul Zajaczkowski

    That’s all common sense!!!

    Reply
    • Paul Zajaczkowski

      Why?

      Reply
  3. Paul Zajaczkowski

    R u afraid to post my comment?

    Reply
  4. Brittany Lynn Hilbert

    Thanks!

    Reply
  5. Peggy Jones

    Thank you for the tips to save energy the dollar doesn’t stretch as far as it used to so these are very helpful
    My mom taught me about crossdraft when I was still a kid at home and I practice it to this day it really does make a difference

    Reply
  6. Vincent Ledee

    Ve

    Reply
  7. Megan Watkins

    I have a split heat pump. Is it cheaper to run the dehumidifier than the air conditioning or is the price about the same? thanks

    Reply
  8. David L.

    Since a ceiling fan adds heat from its motor to a room , it is impossible based on the laws of thermodynamics for the temperature of the room to decrease. If they check a thermometer in the room, they will not see a decrease in the room’s temperature.

    Only the “real feel” temperature as perceived by an occupant of the room will decrease due to the more rapid removal of heat from the body due to the air flow over the occupant.

    Based on your statements, people may leave fans running in unoccupied rooms believing they are helping to cool their homes!

    Reply
    • Joshua Robinson

      I think you should write the articles

      Reply
  9. Mary Campbell

    Thanks for the tips on the dehumidifiers and keeping fans in a corner and low to the ground….who knew? Will give both a try. Here’s hoping the temps do not get too extreme this year. Thanks again for the tips.

    Reply
  10. Megan Dalrymple

    I need help with new windows and doors on my apartment everything is old it needs to be updated

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      Good Afternoon Megan, Please read about our WRAP program that provides eligible customers with a no-cost energy assessment, free energy saving products, and energy tips for long-term savings. You can sign in and apply online in only a few minutes under http://www.pplelectric.com/wrap. A specialist will review your application and let you know whether you’ve been accepted. You can also contact the WRAP program directly at 1-888-232-6302. Thank you!

      Reply
  11. Rachel Winebrake

    Very good advice!! Thank You!

    Reply
  12. Robert farrell

    Thank you so much for your educational info

    Reply
  13. Laverne Chambers

    Thank you very much!

    Reply
  14. Martha

    Very helpful reminders!

    Reply
  15. John

    A whole house fan does a great job when we have cool nights. A lot cheaper than air conditioning.

    Reply
  16. Louis N. Schultz

    Thank you for the tips on keeping the house cool and warm I will use them and keep ourselves comfortable thank you very much.

    Reply
  17. Jennifer Guadagno

    Great tips!thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  18. Kathy Minnier

    We were told to turn our ceiling fans counter clockwise in the winter to make the room feel warmer by disbursing the heat downward. Now you are saying to turn them counter clockwise in the warmer weather. I’m confused.

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      Good Afternoon Kathy, The ceiling fan direction in warmer months should be counterclockwise to help create a downdraft, which creates that direct, cooling breeze. Your fan direction in winter needs to be clockwise to create an updraft and circulate warm air around the room.We hope this helps!

      Reply
      • Kathy Minnier

        Thank you. We were doing the opposite, which seemed sensible at the time. We will try the opposite way as your tip suggested.

        Reply
  19. Marti

    Good reminders. When I was growing up and A/C wasn’t commonly in homes yet, my parents used most of these tips to help make the house more comfortable in summer. They do help.

    Reply
  20. Frank

    I disagree with Paul’s 5/24 comment. Not all tips are common sense to all customers.

    Thank you PPL for the tips.

    Reply
  21. Beverly Largent

    … during the day closing drapes and shades keeps it cooler yes, but turning lights on to see properly? WHERE’S THE SAVINGS IN DOING THAT????
    Something doesn’t add up to my wallet but YOUR’S PPL!!!

    Reply

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