The dry season means you’re probably turning on your air conditioner more often than usual, and while this may be comfortable for a while, the thought of your electrical bill make keep you from running it for long. That doesn’t mean you have to suffer the heat, though. Here are a few things you can do to keep your room a cooler for longer after you’ve turned off your AC.
1. Keep your windows and curtains closed.
Especially in the afternoon when the heat is at its peak, letting in sunlight reflected from the street or your neighbors’ roof can quickly raise the temp in your room. Keep your windows shut and your curtains closed for while there's still residual coolness.
2. Turn on your electric fan.
Set your fan to low, allow it to rotate, and let the cool air circulate in your room. You may also want to position it properly: according to the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, your fan should be placed “at least seven to nine feet above the floor and 10 to 12 inches below the ceiling” to get air properly moving.
FN Tip: You may want to consider investing in a ceiling fan later on. They’re more efficient that your regular stand fans as they equally distribute air to a larger area.
3. Clear your room of clutter.
Believe it or not, clutter—such as a mound of clothes, misplaced luggage, a pile of magazines, and the like—can make your room feel hotter. The more unnecessary items there are in your room, the more your space warms up as these can absorb heat. Moreover, clutter makes restricts your movement and makes your room feel too confining, so you may want to clean up bit to improve air circulation (and to make you feel better about yourself, too).
4. Avoid turning on large screens for the time being.
Your laptop, your dual monitored-PC, and your flat-screen TV all generate heat and radiation (notice how your face gets all sweaty and sticky after binging on your favorite K-drama series on Netflix)? When kept on for long periods, these can easily warm your room up.
5. Change your bed sheets.
Do away with fleece and flannel on your bed, and you may want to remove that lumpy comforter, too, as these thick materials retain heat. Opt for lighter fabrics such as cotton, linen, and bamboo, as their weaveallow air to pass through, which means they’re more likely to stay cool longer.
Sources: Huffington Post, WikiHow
