Summer in Texas is no joke. When temperatures soar to triple digits, and the Texas heat shows no mercy, you need practical, energy-efficient cooling strategies.

Below, we outline simple and effective methods to keep your home and body comfortable during the scorching summer months without causing massive energy bill spikes. We’ll cover everything from proper thermostat settings and window treatments to outdoor cooking and staying hydrated during a heat wave.

These Texas cooling strategies for summer will help you stay cool, reduce your energy bills, and protect your home from the extra heat high temperatures generate.

Tips to Reduce Temperatures During Texas Summers

Window Treatments

Blinds, curtains, or shades are a simple and effective way to reduce indoor temperatures. Texas homes can face a lot of direct sunlight, especially during the hottest part of the day. Energy-efficient window coverings can help block a large percentage of the direct sunlight and prevent extra heat from entering your living spaces.

One helpful tip is to choose light-colored curtains or shades. Lighter colors reflect sunlight’s heat instead of absorbing it like dark colors do. This reflection helps maintain cool air inside.

Reflective or tinted window films can also create a barrier against the sun’s rays and keep things cool inside your home. 

Ways to Use Fans to Enhance Cooling

Over 95% of Texas households use air conditioning, but it’s not always the most energy-efficient solution. Texans often turn to fans as a cost-effective way to circulate cool air. Ceiling fans, portable fans, and box fans can create a natural breeze that helps reduce the inside temperature without using the air conditioner.

Combining ceiling fans with open windows can dramatically improve your home’s airflow. During cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or late evening, you can place fans near open windows to draw in cooler air and push out the warm air.

Many Texans have learned that ceiling fans allow them to set the thermostat a few degrees higher without compromising comfort. This approach saves energy and reduces the risk of your HVAC system working too hard.

Cooking Methods Help Maintain a Cooler Indoor Environment

Cooking indoors adds extra heat to your home, making it harder to stay cool when the air conditioner is battling high temperatures from the Texas summer. One way to combat this is to shift your cooking activities outdoors. Grilling on a patio or using an outdoor kitchen can significantly reduce the extra heat from ovens or stoves inside.

If moving your cooking outdoors isn’t possible, consider using appliances that generate less heat. For example, a microwave or slow cooker can prepare meals while emitting less heat than a conventional oven. When your kitchen remains cool, you’re less likely to experience a surge in indoor temperature.

Landscaping

Landscaping can do much more than make your home look great. It can also be a vital part of your home’s cooling strategy.

Trees and shrubs create natural shade that helps block direct sunlight from hitting your home. Planting shade trees around your property can also help reduce the ambient temperature around your home, reducing the energy needed to cool your home.

Strategic planting on your home’s east and west sides can shield windows from direct sunlight. Trees also help trap moisture in the air, which can cool your home on hot summer days. When you invest in landscaping, you enjoy a more beautiful environment and may benefit from reduced reliance on mechanical cooling systems in the summer.

Regular Maintenance of Air Conditioning Units

Maintaining your air conditioning unit is critical for efficient home cooling during the Texas heat. Regular checkups help ensure your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system runs smoothly, reducing the strain on your air conditioner during extreme heat. Simple tasks, such as cleaning filters, checking refrigerant levels, and inspecting ducts can significantly affect your HVAC unit’s performance.

When your air conditioner is well-maintained, it runs more efficiently and uses less energy, making it an integral part of your overall cooling strategy.

Texans should also be mindful of how dust and debris can accumulate in vents and filters, reducing the effectiveness of the cool air distributed throughout the home.

Scheduling annual or bi-annual maintenance visits can extend the lifespan and maximize the efficiency of your cooling system, ensuring your home stays comfortable without using excessive amounts of energy in the highest temperatures.

Sealing Air Leaks

Poor insulation and air leaks can undermine even the best cooling system. Sealing air leaks in windows and doors and improving your home’s insulation effectively prevents cool air from escaping and warm air from entering your living spaces. Weather stripping around doors and windows is a barrier against the extra heat, making it easier for your air conditioner to do its job.

Insulation is vital, especially in Texas, where outdoor temperatures can reach extreme levels. A well-insulated home retains cool air longer and reduces the load on your air conditioner. If you live in an older home, you can benefit from investing in insulation upgrading projects.

In addition to sealing air leaks, consider adding insulation to attics and basements where heat can easily accumulate.

These straightforward improvements enhance your overall cooling efficiency, ensuring you stay cool even as the summer heat forces your air conditioning to work overtime.

Staying Hydrated and Wearing Appropriate Clothing

   

Keeping your body temperature regulated in the Texas heat goes beyond home cooling systems. Personal comfort during extreme heat also involves staying hydrated and choosing the proper clothing.

When temperatures climb, it’s easy to dehydrate, potentially leading to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Drinking plenty of water and beverages with electrolytes is crucial for keeping your body cool and avoiding heat-related illnesses.

Wearing loose-fitting and light-colored clothing also plays an essential role in regulating your body temperature. Light-colored clothing reflects direct sunlight instead of absorbing the extra heat. Additionally, using sunscreen and wearing a wide-brimmed hat outdoors can protect your skin from harmful UV rays and help maintain a lower body temperature.

By combining these changes with an effective home cooling strategy, you can stay cool in the Texas summer heat while keeping your energy costs down.

What Thermostat Settings Are Recommended to Balance Comfort and Energy Efficiency During Texas Summers? 

Setting the thermostat correctly is key to maintaining a comfortable home during the hot summer months. It’s common to wonder what thermostat settings will keep them cool without driving energy costs through the roof. The rule of thumb is to program your thermostat to a temperature that keeps the inside cool but doesn’t overwork your air conditioner.

When the sun blazes outside, and you’re dealing with extreme heat, experts recommend setting your thermostat to around 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re home. This helps maintain cool air inside while conserving energy. You may want to adjust your thermostat a few degrees higher to balance comfort and efficiency when you’re away or sleeping.

Remember that every home is different. Factors like insulation and air leakage can affect how quickly hot air enters or cool air escapes. Experiment with slight adjustments until you find what works best for your household. Over time, proper thermostat settings can lower your cooling costs and contribute to a more energy-efficient home.

The Advantages of Installing a Smart Thermostat

Programmable or smart thermostats have become great tools for managing home cooling systems. These devices automatically adjust your thermostat settings based on your daily schedule and outdoor temperatures, ensuring you’re not wasting energy when you’re not home.

Smart thermostats are especially useful during the Texas summer, when high temperatures are the norm. They can help optimize your air conditioning use so your cooling system kicks in only when necessary, significantly reducing your energy consumption. You can customize a programmable thermostat to your lifestyle, setting cooler temperatures for busy afternoons or warmer settings during the coolest parts of the day, such as early morning.

By installing a programmable or smart thermostat, you’re taking an important step toward mixing convenience and energy-saving practices into your Texas cooling strategies for summer.

Texas Cooling Strategies for Summer Require a Multilayered Approach 

Effective Texas cooling strategies for summer involve a mix of smart home improvements and personal care. Stay cool during extreme heat by:

• Setting your thermostat appropriately
• Installing energy-efficient window treatments
• Leveraging fans
• Maintaining your HVAC system
• Sealing air leaks
• Selecting energy-efficient lighting
• Planting shade trees
• Wearing loose-fitting, light-colored clothing
• Cooking outside

These steps can help you deal with high temperatures and heat waves in Texas without spiking your energy bills.

You can also save money on your energy bills in the hot Texas summers by choosing a retail energy provider (REP) with the best energy rates. Just Energy’s REP comparison tool allows you to compare all the REPs in your area to find the one with the best rates. Explore our Texas electricity plans to learn more. This is the best way to keep your energy bills low despite the summer heat.

Brought to you by justenergy.com

All images licensed from Adobe Stock.