Temperatures in Washington state are expected to climb this summer, with a fourth statewide drought declaration in as many years, and record setting temps throughout the western U.S.

To help keep you and your family safe and healthy this summer, there are several ways to keep the home as chilled down as you need it. Here are some tips that will provide some much-needed relief.

Letting in that cool air once the sun goes down will help the temps inside stay lower for longer. Using fans to push out the hot air through a window will also help. Positioning a fan on one end to send cooler air in and another on the other side of a room or home will push out the hot air, creating a wind tunnel.Make sure to close windows and lower blinds and curtains before the day heats up however, as blocking the sun will stretch that cool air for longer.

Shade will also be an asset to use. Plant greenery like trees and bushes in places near the house to cast shade on the building throughout the day and where the foliage will release cooler air near windows and doors.

Keeping electronics use to a minimum will also help keep you cool this summer. Grill outdoors, don’t use appliances during the high temp times and switch to LED bulbs over incandescent to keep the heat from radiating.

Options to make sure the temperatures stay cooler for longer in the house include retrofitting your home with an Air Conditioning System. AC will regulate the temperatures in your home to bring these tips and tricks to a more effective outcome.

Some options that Feller Heating provide include ductless heat pump to push out that hot air or AC units to introduce cool air into the home.

“Centrally ducted AC units are the best option when it comes to cooling your home. When homes have a forced air system with ducting throughout the home, this is the best application for adding AC,” Project Manager and Estimator for Feller Heating Phillip Dye said. “Whether it is a straight AC unit or a heat pump system (that does both heating & cooling), getting AC throughout the home is your best bet to be comfortable in your home during the hot summer months.

“When a ducted forced air system is not in place or is not attainable, installing a ductless heat pump system, also called a ‘mini-split,’ is a fantastic option as well. These units are great for cooling large, open areas of the home such as living room/dining room/kitchen areas, or individual bedrooms like a master suite, etc. Like previously mentioned, when ducting is not an option, look no further than a reliable, quiet and super-efficient ductless heat pump system!”

Insulating the attic space of a home will also go a long way in combination with cooling methods and AC unit use. A lot of cool air escapes through windows, doors and the roof and stopping those leaks will keep the temps at where you want them to be.