As summer temperatures start to rise, you might be dreading the heat—especially if you live in an old house. Old houses, while full of character, often have more drafts, less insulation, and layouts that hold onto heat and humidity in ways newer homes do not. But don’t worry: There are plenty of ways to keep an old house cool in the summer without relying on air conditioning. From quick fixes like shading windows and running fans the right way to longer-term improvements like sealing leaks and improving attic ventilation, here are the best tips to help you beat the heat.
Quick Tips You Can Do Today
Turn on the Dehumidifier
High humidity can make your home feel hotter than it actually is. My basement dehumidifier broke at the start of last summer, and it made my central air conditioner work significantly harder. After weeks with nothing running down there, the basement humidity rose to 75%, and the main floor was consistently around 60% humidity, regardless of how long the central air ran. Luckily, I got a Keystone Dehumidifier up and running ASAP.
Within three hours, this dehumidifier with a hose attached brought my basement’s relative humidity from 70% to about 58%. Once I got my basement down to about 40% humidity, I noticed that my central air didn’t have to run as long, and my upstairs felt cooler at the same temperature because the main floor now had a humidity level around 50%.
Using a dehumidifier can help remove excess moisture from the air, making your home feel cooler. But as a bonus, it can also help prevent mold and mildew, which are common problems in old houses. Place dehumidifiers in particularly humid parts of your home, like the basement or kitchen, for the best results.
Block Heat From the Sun
Insulated window treatments are a simple and cost-effective way to keep your old house cool. They work by blocking the sun’s rays, reducing the amount of heat that enters your home. Consider installing blinds, curtains, or shades made from light-reflecting material. You can also use thermal curtains that have a special lining to block out heat.
Also, dark colors absorb heat, so switch to light-colored bedding during the summer months. Not only will this make your bedroom feel cooler, but it can also help you sleep better. Opt for materials like cotton or linen, which breathe better than synthetic materials and wick away sweat.
Quick Tip
For the best results, close window coverings before direct sun hits the glass rather than waiting until the room already feels hot.
Position Fans Strategically
Industrial-sized fans can be a great way to circulate air and create a breeze in your home. Also, ceiling fans can help circulate cool air throughout a room, while box fans placed in windows can help draw in cool air during the evening or early morning. Remember, fans cool people, not rooms, so turn them off when you leave the room to save energy.
Cook Outside
Using your oven and stove can generate a lot of heat, which can make your house feel hotter. During the summer months, try to cook outside as much as possible. Grilling on a portable grill is a great option that doesn’t heat up your home. If you must cook inside, try to do so during the cooler parts of the day, like the early morning or late evening.
Rearrange the Sunniest and Shadiest Rooms
Older homes were often built with the home’s orientation in mind to take advantage of the sun’s path. If your home has more windows on the north side, try to use these rooms more during the day when it’s hot. Conversely, try to avoid using rooms with lots of west or south-facing windows during the hottest parts of the day.
If you’re an antique collector (or maybe even a hoarder), you might have rooms filled with items that are absorbing and radiating heat. Decluttering your antique collections can help improve air circulation and reduce the amount of heat these items store. Consider rotating your collection seasonally, keeping only a few key pieces out during the summer months. Not only will this help keep your home cooler, but it also gives you a chance to appreciate different items in your collection throughout the year.
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Long-Term House Fixes
Restore Original Features
Many old houses were designed with features to help cope with the heat before the invention of air conditioning. These might include:
- High ceilings
- Transom windows
- Wrap-around porches
- Thick walls
If your house has these features, restoring them to their original function can help keep your house cool. For example, transom windows, which are small windows above doors, can be opened to improve ventilation.
Plant Shade Trees
If your property allows for it, planting shade trees can be a great long-term solution for keeping your old house cool. Deciduous trees, which lose their leaves in the winter, can provide shade during the summer while allowing sunlight through in the colder months. This natural solution can help reduce your reliance on air conditioning and fans.
The best shade trees depend on your climate, soil, and available space. In general, look for mature trees with broad canopies and decide whether you want fast-growing shade now or a slower-growing tree that requires less maintenance over time. Good choices often include maples, oaks, lindens, and honey locusts, depending on your growing zone and yard size.
Seal Cracks and Gaps
Old houses often have cracks and gaps around windows and doors that can let in hot air. Sealing these gaps can help keep your house cooler. Use weatherstripping for doors and windows that open and caulk for gaps and cracks in stationary parts of your home. This not only helps keep your home cooler in the summer but also warmer in the winter.
WARNING
Never use caulk where the glass pane meets the frame on old wooden windows. Reglaze the windows instead.
Insulate Your Attic
A well-insulated attic can really help keep an old house cool (or cooler than it would be without the insulation). Heat rises, and in an old house, that heat often escapes into the attic. By insulating your attic, you can prevent this heat transfer, keeping your home cooler. While this can be a more expensive upgrade, it can make a big difference in your home’s comfort and energy efficiency. Just don’t overdo it: Your attic still needs to be able to ventilate.
Mistakes That Make an Old House Feel Hotter
A few cooling habits can work against you in an old house. Blocking return vents with furniture, rugs, or storage can restrict airflow and make some rooms feel warmer than others. A dirty HVAC filter can also make the system work harder than it should, and if your home has an older cooling setup, an undersized or poorly balanced system may struggle no matter how low you set the thermostat.
