My tips will keep your home cool without turning on the AC – my dark habit makes the biggest difference & blocks heat
A MONEY-SAVING guru has shared her tricks for staying cool while cutting costs.
Her budget-friendly methods are meant to beat the heat in your home.
BEAT THE HEAT
In a viral TikTok video, Phantila Phataraprasit (phantilaphat) has shared her top ways to save by not using your air conditioner.
She explained what has made the “biggest difference” in her efforts to not rack up huge energy bills – blackout curtains.
Just make sure they’re closed during the day for a maximum cooling effect.
To keep your home safe from the sun’s heat, you can also close your curtains in lesser-used rooms.
Just be warned – your home will appear “darker,” but it will definitely be worth it if you don’t want to crank up the air.
LET IN THE AIR
During the cooler nights, you can try opening the windows and using a fan, she suggested.
This will help to bring the cool air inside which will cancel out the more sweltering indoor heat.
To ensure a comfortable room temperature, place a frozen water bottle or frozen towel in front of your fan to get a rush of cool air.
You’ll especially feel cold air coming your way in no time if you situate two fans across from each other.
This will create a “cross breeze” effect that helps usher in additional airflow.
FANFARE
She also recommended making a small ceiling fan adjustment which can make a dramatic difference.
Just go into the motor and change the direction of the fan so that it will go counterclockwise, and push cooler air downward to “create a breeze.”
You can even add a few decorative elements to your home, such as breathable bedding like linen, and houseplants.
As plants release moisture into the air and “pull air downwards,” you are sure to feel instantly cooler.
If you want to try the trick for your own space, Home Depot sells a Fiddle Leaf Fig Ficus Lyrta Live Houseplant for $29.98.
The plant, which features leathery leaves, can be pruned for extra growth benefits.
It is best to fertilize the plant in the spring and summer months with a water-soluble fertilizer.
Add as many as you want for additional cooling benefits.
OUI OUI
She also recommended unplugging unused electronics, which will halt unnecessary heat that’s being generated.
If all else fails, you can just “pretend that you’re French,” she joked.
This alludes to the fact that you will not find any air conditioners in France, leading to some Olympic athletes bringing their own AC units to the Paris Games.
One watcher had an additional tip to add.
“Yes, use blackout curtains, but make sure it is a pure white color instead because white reflects the most sunlight heat away while using black curtains absorbs the most heat making it hotter,” he said.