When the sunny summer days roll in, it's time to whip out the picnic basket for a trip to the park or put on your bathing suit for a dip in the ocean. This is the season of long evenings, gorgeous sunsets, and making the most of daylight hours. 

However, summer in New Jersey can be uncomfortable when the heat kicks in, and you’ve decided to stay at your Country Classics apartment. Even if you have the AC cranked up to full blast, it might not feel like it. 

With this in mind, we want to share a few affordable cooling hacks for apartment living to ensure you remain comfortable all summer. Although our apartments have reliable air conditioning systems, you can use a few cooling tips to make your energy bills more manageable. 

Affordable Cooling Tips for Renters – How to Keep Your Apartment Cool Without AC All Summer

Most New Jersey apartments indeed have air conditioning, but even the best setups can sometimes struggle during certain times of the day during summer. 

The good news is that you don’t have to settle for only your AC. You can employ a few affordable cooling hacks to make you comfortable and not curse – we’ve all been here a time or two – the heat or sunny weather. 

Let’s have a look at how to cool a room without AC by examining a few creative ways to stay cool below:

Change Your Window Coverings

It might seem like a no-brainer, but direct sunlight can significantly increase indoor temperature, as you likely know if you love to let sunlight filter in. 

At Country Classics apartments, you’ll get a home with high-quality shades installed to combat this issue. Of course, you don’t have to keep them, but be sure to ask us about it, as you can opt for your shades or blackout curtains.

Whichever option you choose, just ensure you remember to keep the shades, blinds, or curtains closed during peak sunlight hours, as it can drastically reduce heat buildup. Plus, your AC will work better with your window coverings, keeping the brunt of the heat at bay!

Embrace Fans Wisely

Even with an AC, oscillating or tower fans are your best friend during hot summer days. If you’re trying to be mindful of your energy bill, using a few fans strategically placed throughout the apartment can help effectively circulate the air and keep your home cool without the AC being switched on. 

On the other hand, if you want to use your fans with your AC, it’s a game-changer. Strategically placed fans can complement your AC system and make you feel cooler and more comfortable. Should you try this out, we recommend placing the fans near AC vents or units to spread the cool air throughout the rooms faster. 

Energy-Efficient Cooling Gadgets are Worth Trying

Not every gadget that boasts about keeping you cool in your apartment during the summer is a gimmick. While your AC will take care of the heavy lifting, you can try a few other nifty energy-efficient cooling gadgets. 

For example, you could look into programmable thermostats, portable fans, and even evaporative coolers that are compact and easy to use in an apartment. With a programmable thermostat, you can schedule cooling based on when you need it most to ensure your apartment stays cool and conserves energy when you’re away. 

With the evaporative coolers, bedrooms that struggle to cool down can benefit since they assist ACs and help cool things down quicker. They are also ideal for cooling a small space.

Manage Your Appliances Smartly

Smart cooling tricks for an apartment can be hard to come by. But have you thought about how your appliances factor into things? As you can imagine, large appliances generate considerable heat, so when temperatures spike, it's best to avoid using heat-producing appliances. 

It might be best to put off cooking that Sunday roast in the oven or using the stove to make a massive pot of soup during the hottest parts of the day. Instead, try limiting cooking or taking advantage of appliances like microwaves and slow cookers that emit less heat. 

Likewise, running your dishwasher, washer, and dryer during cooler evening hours can significantly reduce the overall heat inside your apartment, making your air conditioner’s job easier and more efficient.

Create Cross-Ventilation

Looking into cheap cooling tips? Consider cross-ventilation. It's simple, but it works, depending on the layout of your apartment. If your apartment layout allows, opening windows or doors across from each other during cooler parts of the day, such as early in the morning or late in the evening, can create a cooling cross breeze.  This simple step helps naturally ventilate your space, reducing reliance on air conditioning.

Consider Indoor Plants

Why not go a little crazy and add greenery to your Country Classics apartment? Adding greenery isn’t just aesthetically pleasing to the eye; plants can also help cool your apartment. Indoor plants like aloe vera, snake plants, and pothos release moisture into the air through transpiration, naturally reducing indoor temperatures slightly. Plus, they help purify the air, enhancing your apartment’s overall comfort and improving the air you breathe.

Maintain Your AC System

• Regularly check and clean the air conditioning filters according to your building's maintenance guidelines. You'll want to get rid of dust and debris as they can reduce airflow, causing your system to work harder and use more energy. 

• Complete quick, regular maintenance checks to ensure your AC runs smoothly throughout the hottest months.

Enjoy a Comfortable, Energy-Efficient Summer in Your Country Classics Apartment

Now you know a few of the best affordable cooling hacks for apartment living that can help you stay comfortable all summer while keeping things energy efficient. We hope these tips help you make the most of your Country Classics apartment. 

If you have not yet rented with us, now is the chance before summer settles in. Contact us here to learn what New Jersey units we have available or to find out about other cooling tips in NJ.