Having a Florida home is a dream come true for most of us. The sunny skies, the beautiful green horizon, and the warm days are perfect for enjoying more days near a pool or beach than the average person. Even during the winter, the temperatures are high enough across the state to bask in the sunshine on most days, and this is, by far, a fantastic experience. 

However, all this sunshine does come with a price. High temperatures will also usually mean higher humidity levels, and this will often mean unbearable heat in most homes. So, how to keep your home cool? 

For one, we at Habitat for Humanity believe in energy efficiency. Our construction methods follow the latest sustainability and efficiency guidelines, which can ultimately translate to cooler homes. This means you can enjoy a cool house without an AC unit if you follow the same principles.

That said, here are a handful of effective ways on the topic of how to cool down your house in the Florida heat. 

Keep Your HVAC Maintenance Up-to-Date

When it comes to the best tips to keep your house cool, for most homeowners, checking the AC or HVAC system regularly will be the first step. Regular and proper maintenance can go a long way, not just in extending the system’s lifespan but in lowering your cooling costs, keeping the air in your home clean, and, overall, doing a favor for the environment. 

Insulate the Attic

Proper insulation in the attic is another fantastic tip to keep your house cool. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the different available insulation materials, so ensure that you are looking for R-values (the unit measuring thermal resistance) between R30 and R60 to meet the requirements for Florida. For instance, Miami residents are often recommended to opt for R30-R49 insulation. 

Keep the Doors Inside Open

How to cool your house without an AC? Try keeping the doors inside open. While many argue that keeping inside doors closed will prevent the heat from spreading across the house, this isn’t the case. Opening the doors will enable better airflow through the house, keeping the entire house cooler, and fresh air will be able to spread evenly across the home. 

Consider Upgrading Your Windows

You can also make your rooms cooler by getting newer, energy-efficient windows that prevent heat from entering the house. Older windows are prone to letting in massive amounts of heat, but modern, multi-pane options minimize heat transfer thanks to their non-toxic, inert gases. 

Know Your Fans

Want a cool house without an AC system? Chances are, you have a few trusty ceiling fans, and there’s a slight chance that you might not have set them up correctly in the past. Take a closer look at the fan motor and locate the small switch, which you can flip either down or up. Usually, the controller will control fan direction, revolving clockwise or counterclockwise. Typically, the blades will spin counterclockwise in the summer. Still, you might have a model that has been going the opposite way all along. Flick the switch and see if it makes any difference. If it spins the right way after flicking the switch, the airflow will be more efficient. 

Air-Seal the House

Small crevices and cracks in your home can let in a considerable amount of heat while the conditioned air can leak out. Air-sealing your home can be a fantastic tip for keeping the house cool, and it will also prevent moisture from getting in the house and causing further problems. 

Opt for Light Colors

How to keep your home cool right off the bat? Keep the house cooler and add some curb appeal by painting the home’s exterior a lighter color. Darker colors are known to absorb heat, while light-colored houses can reflect a portion of the sun’s rays. You can even go one step further by painting the roof white to reflect the sun’s UV rays, the same way ice and snow do.  

Make Good Use of Your Curtains

How to make a room cooler quickly? Consider using blackout or thick curtains that block the sun and insulate the room naturally. The downside is that less light will enter the room, so this might be a good idea for those areas of the house that you don’t use very often. 

On the other hand, thicker, neutral-colored options can also help with cutting out heat. Dampening your existing curtains and opening the windows can also help if you want to cool down your room but have no AC.

Use the Stove and Oven Only When Necessary 

While a home-cooked meal is the best meal in our book, you might want to use these appliances more sparingly when the temperature’s in the triple digits. Cooking in the kitchen can make the entire house feel even warmer. The stovetop can generate plenty of unnecessary, excess heat, so time your cooking either in the evening or morning, if possible. You can also opt for outside grilling, which is always more fun than kitchen cooking. 

Do the Same With the Devices That You Don’t Use

How to cool down a house? It might be hard to believe, but plugged-in devices can also generate heat, even if you’re not using them. Small kitchen appliances, laptops, phone chargers, and other devices can be unplugged on hot summer days to minimize the amount of unwanted heat in the house. 

Consider Replacing the Shingles on the Roof

How to keep your home cool? Lighter-colored shingles will be able to repel heat. Alternatively, you can use special paint to do that, or you can use a specifically designed “cool roof” that will prevent heat transfer and keep your roof roughly 50 degrees cooler. 

Use a Dehumidifier

How to cool down a house in Florida and beat the humidity? To eliminate the problems associated with a humid home, using a dehumidifier can be a great solution. While these devices won’t actually cool the room, they will dry out the space, making a massive difference. This can especially be handy in the bedroom to say goodbye to those unbearably humid nights. 

Use Portable Fans

Portable fans can help you cool a house without a dedicated AC system. You can use them in those rooms which need some extra airflow. Also, they are easy to move around, so you can always move the air where you need it the most. 

Opt for Efficiency 

There are several great tips that can help you keep your house cool. Still, arguably, the best way to keep your home cool is to build one with energy efficiency in mind. There are a lot of things you can do if you have an older home, but there are even more awesome tips you can utilize if you are only in the planning process of your new home.

Regarding excellent energy efficiency practices, feel free to reach out to us and also learn about our cause in the process.