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How To Stay Cool In Your Apartment In West Lafayette

September 27, 2021
A sunny day at the Lakeside Apartment pool.

The extreme heat of summer can make your West Lafayette apartment unbearably hot -- specifically if you live on the top floor. You could turn up the A/C for instant gratification and deal with a larger utility bill later. Another option is to spend all your free time in the swimming pool. Alternatively, follow these tips to stay cool in your apartment in West Lafayette.

Optimize Your A/C To Stay Cool In Your Apartment In West Lafayette

A woman adjusting the thermostat

When you’re trying to stay cool in your apartment in West Lafayette, it’s often enticing to adjust your cooling system. Unfortunately, operating your HVAC system at full strength will get a bit pricey, and it’s not intended to cool down your unit more than 15 to 20 degrees from the current exterior temp. The better option is to run your air conditioner in a less demanding fashion by adjusting your thermostat to a slightly higher temp as you prepare to head out for work. This will prevent your place from heating up too much without overtaxing your A/C when you’re not there. After you return home, turn it back down to a more comfortable temperature.

Regular service of your HVAC system lets your A/C unit function at a high level of efficiency as well. It’s a good idea to call on your maintenance team to examine it and replace the air filters at least a couple times per year. Some apartment communities arrange for air filter installations at specified times and provide the new filters for you. Tell them if you experience any issues.

Use Window Treatments To Guard Against Hot Sunlight

Modern living room on a sunny day. 

Your apartment windows bring in a fair amount of heat. Shielding your rooms with the proper window treatments will play a critical role in blocking the sun’s rays. Begin by keeping your apartment blinds closed. The basic white blinds found in a majority of apartments will divert some of the sun’s heat. Your next step is the installation of blackout curtains. These solid products block those warm ultraviolet rays and can help keep your unit a few degrees lower. The majority of apartment complexes allow you to put up a curtain rod as long as you patch the drill holes before you move out.

If you love the views of your beautiful apartment community too much to block your windows, you might use temporary temperature control window film. This see-through material attaches to your windows and impedes heat but not your perspective. You can enhance your project even more by placing weatherstripping along the window to minimize the influx of hot air while keeping the cool air in.

Improve Ventilation And Airflow With Fans

Fans can create ideal airflow and ventilation within all of your rooms to help you stay cool. Put a fan by a vent to distribute cool air. If you already use ceiling fans, set them to spin counterclockwise. This causes the blades to push the conditioned air down to where you need it.

If you have kitchen or bath exhaust fans, you could benefit from these too. Typically, these fans extract hot air from your space and move it to the exterior of your home when you shower or cook, but they can be run at any time. Power them on when you arrive home in the evening to eliminate the hot, stuffy air that collects in your apartment during the day while your A/C or overhead fans replace it with more pleasant air.

Limit Your Oven Use When The Summer Heat Is Sizzling

A dark cabinet kitchen with red walls facing the oven and sink. 
Kitchen appliances like ranges emanate quite a bit of heat as you cook. When you’re finding it a challenge to stay cool in your apartment in West Lafayette, try not to use these appliances. Instead, cook meals in a crockpot, microwave, or instant pot. Or enjoy a crisp, cold salad and hearty sandwich. A cold drink and something sweet from the freezer for dessert will help cool you down too!

See How We Keep Things Cool At Continuum Apartments

Continuum boasts smartly designed floor plans, a range of sought-after amenities, and enticing surroundings--just what you require for a great apartment living experience regardless of the season. Our friendly team will tell you about the great benefits we offer Residents when you phone (765) 476-0886 or arrange for a tour.