Beat the Heat (and High AC Bills!) with This Simple Trick

Is your AC struggling to keep up? Are your energy bills creeping higher right along with your indoor air temperature, especially during this relentless Northeast heatwave? It can feel like both are spiraling out of control!

But what if I told you there's a surprisingly simple (and free!) way to reduce your indoor temperature by a couple of degrees, instantly easing the strain on your AC and your wallet?

The secret weapon? Your window treatments.

"Wait, what?" you might be thinking. "Do you mean those decorative curtains I spent ages picking out, and the kids' trusty blackout shades?"

Yes! Exactly those! Your window treatments, whether they're elegant drapes, practical blinds, or those heavy-duty blackout shades, aren't just for privacy or aesthetics. They are fantastic insulators against heat encroachment in your house (fun fact: they work in winter to keep the heat in and the cold out).

Here's how to put them to work for you:

The key is timing. Close them early in the morning, before the sun even has a chance to start heating up the room. If you have both curtains and blackout shades, even better – use them both! Create a complete thermal barrier.

You'll be amazed at the difference. Go about your day, and then compare the temperature in rooms where you've utilized this method versus those where the window treatments were left open. You'll likely notice a significant slowdown in the temperature creep. Your AC won't have to work as hard, and your indoor space will feel noticeably cooler.

It's a low-tech, no-cost hack that leverages what you already have. Give it a try during this heatwave, and let me know if it helps you beat the heat!

In need of window treatments? Check out what I used in the kids’ room and the blackout shades I use throughout the house.

What are your go-to strategies for keeping cool without cranking the AC? Share your tips in the comments below!