If you are dreading the upcoming heat waves of summer when it seems impossible to cool down your home, then you are not alone. As the temperature rises, people all over the globe search for ways to stay cool and comfortable.

When it is severely hot outside, even the best central air conditioners will struggle to provide enough cooling power to overcome the excessive exterior temperatures. However, by following these tips, you can cool your home more effectively during even the hottest heat waves:

Tip: Trade Out Your Mini Blinds or Shutters for Blackout Curtains

If your home has shutters, mini blinds, or thin curtains installed on its windows, then you should replace them with blackout curtains. You can purchase inexpensive blackout curtains at your local home improvement store and they are available in many different colors, styles, and sizes. This type of curtain has a rubber lining on the back that prevents the hot glass of your windows from transferring their heat into your home. Blackout curtains are much better at preventing this heat transfer than other window coverings and will help your air conditioner work more effectively, saving you money on your power bills.

Tip: Avoid Using Any Heat-Generating Appliances During the Daytime Hours

Since appliances such as ovens and clothing dryers add heat to your living space, running them will make your air conditioning system work harder to cool your home. Since the system will naturally struggle to cool effectively during heat waves, you should avoid using heat-generating appliances during the daytime hours when it is hottest outdoors. Instead, dry your clothes or run your dishwasher in the evening when it is cooler outside.

Tip: Use a Dehumidifier if You Live in a Humid Area

A home with lower humidity will feel cooler than one that has higher humidity. If your home is located in a state like Florida or Hawaii where it is very humid during heat waves, then you should run a dehumidifier in your home along with your air conditioner. The dehumidifier will pull the moisture out of the air and help your family feel cooler.

Tip: Have Your Central Air Conditioner Professionally Serviced Each Spring

Finally, since an air conditioner that is working well will more effectively cool your home, you must have your air conditioner serviced by a professional HVAC technician at the end of each spring. This will ensure that your air conditioning system is in tip-top shape when the first heat wave arrives in summer.