How to keep your house cool in summer
Most people enjoy a hot summer’s day, particularly if they know they can return to a cool, comfortable home once they’ve got their fix of vitamin D. There are many ways to make sure that your space remains a place to relax when temperatures climb – some of them may even help you save on your energy bills, and that’s always a win in our book.
So, let’s dive right in with some handy tips and tricks…
Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight
It may seem like common sense, but we all know that sunlight streaming through windows can boost a room’s temperature considerably at the height of summer - especially if your windows aren’t particularly energy efficient. To get temperatures down, it’s best to close your blinds or curtains in the afternoon.
The sun is at its hottest between 11am and 3pm. Close blinds or curtains in rooms that receive direct sunlight to block out some of the sun’s rays and stop heat entering the room between these times. North and west-facing windows usually take in the most rays, but the simple act of drawing your curtains and closing blinds can cool your home significantly.
If sunlight is proving tricky to keep under control, consider investing in blackout curtains; this may also improve sleep quality and prevent those early-morning wake ups. Window shades, towels or bed sheets also make good alternatives.
If you do need light in a room during the day, use LED bulbs to brighten the space without hiking your energy bills.
Be smart with your windows
When to open them…
Keep windows locked open at night, particularly if temperatures drop significantly. This helps to cool your home by creating cool breezes, promoting air flow and dispelling lingering heat trapped in your home. Opening your windows also means there’s less of a need to run fans or A/C units through the night.
If you must open your window during the day, open another at the opposite end of the house to allow air to move freely.
When to close them…
If the temperature outside is hotter than it is inside, have your windows closed during the day. This rings true particularly if your windows are south facing. It’s also worth remembering that double glazed windows will let less heat into your home than single-paned glass.
Close doors
If you spend a lot of your time at home in one room, make sure to close the doors to rooms you won’t be using as much; these include areas like bedrooms and bathrooms. Closing the doors traps cooler air in one place and prevents it from leaking to areas where it’s not needed…. not only that, but it also means you’ll make more efficient use of any air conditioning.
Tip!
Seal off gaps around windows and doors to stop cool air from escaping. You can do this using tapes, seals, draft excluders and the like.
Use fans
Ceiling fans and portable fans do a wonderful job of cooling our homes in hot weather. Fans don’t lower the temperature, instead they circulate air and create gentle indoor breezes. They can also reduce humidity levels by removing moisture from the air which creates a comfortable environment. Just remember to turn them off when you leave the room.
Ceiling fans do a better job of circulating air than air conditioning, they may also save on energy costs. You could even adjust your ceiling fan so that it rotates counterclockwise, as this will create a cooling effect by forcing cooler air downwards and pushing warmer air to the top of the room. Fans paired with locked-open windows will push cool air through your home in the evening.
Change lightbulbs
Honestly, this could make a bigger difference than you expect. Incandescent and halogen lightbulbs produce a lot of heat. Switch to energy-efficient bulbs, like LEDs, to bring down the temperature and also save on those energy bills.
Heat-reducing film
As we know, a lot of heat enters your home through the windows. If you don’t want to close the curtains, you can control the temperature of your space by applying reflective, heat-reducing film to the glass. Easy to install, heat-reducing film is a quick and easy fix that’s great for renters – they can also be removed without causing damage.
Not only does heat-reflecting film regulate a room’s temperature without plunging it into darkness, but it also leaves the view through your window intact. Once the film is installed, it can stay put as it will also help to warm your space in winter!
Insulate your home
We know – insulation is usually recommended for trapping the heat in during colder spells. That said, it also keeps the heat out in summer too! An investment that’ll help to regulate the temperature in your home all year round, insulation maintains the right temperature whilst using less energy – reducing your energy bills in all weathers.
Buy house plants
Filling your space with greenery is an organic way to keep your home cool, fresh and breezy. As natural dehumidifiers, one of many benefits of house plants is their ability to cool a space. Think about welcoming English ivy, Boston ferns and peace lilies to your home to reap the benefits. The process of transpiration removes heat from the air, which cools down your space whilst making your home healthier and more comfortable.
Use your extractor fans
Extractor fans are great for cooling a room without windows. They make space for fresh air by pushing stifling air outside, including steam from cooking or showering. This technique only works when its hotter inside than it is outside.
Program your thermostat
Your thermostat is there to put you in control of your home’s environment. Using it to regulate temperature cools your home whilst saving energy and lowering those bills! Out of the house a lot? Program your thermostat to suit your schedule and reduce the temperature slightly before you come home so it’s comfortably cool without wasting energy.
Install an awning
If you need shade and don’t have time to wait for trees to grow, an awning is a great alternative. Fitting an awning above your window protects your rooms from direct sunlight, helping to lower your home’s absorption of heat and keep your space cool and comfortable in hot weather.
Use cotton sheets
Nothing beats a great night’s sleep, although it can be tricky to come by after a long, muggy day. When the weather heats up, put away those synthetic satin or silk sheets and swap in lightly coloured cotton sheets as they’re much cooler to sleep in. Cotton and linen sheets breathe easier and stay cooler, which can make all the difference between tossing & turning or a peaceful rest.
You could also swap your duvet for a light blanket or bed sheet. However, if giving up your duvet is too much, choosing a low tog one for summer nights could be just the ticket to a restful sleep without blasting the air con or having a fan going all night.
Avoid using the oven or stove
Cooking raises the temperature in your home by generating excess heat which spills into your home and warms up your space considerably. To keep temperatures down, turn to your pressure cooker, air fryer or slow cooker instead. You could even opt for meals that don’t require cooking at all, like salads or sandwiches. Head of the grill? What better excuse to get out and eat al fresco?
Switch off appliances
Leaving appliances on standby around the house generates (and wastes) more heat than you might expect. Turn them off whenever you’re not using them and make sure the backs of appliances have plenty of space to ventilate, as not doing can mean they pump far too much unnecessary heat into a room.
Avoid using appliances wherever possible
Like we said, cooking and eating outside wherever possible is a great way to keep your home cool. What’s more, the oven and stove aren’t the only appliances you could go without when the sun shines. If you have space, hang clothes out to dry, or use an airer, instead of turning to your tumble drier. Love your dishwasher? We know, we do too – but if you can handwash your dishes, that’s another way to keep the heat at bay.
If you really need to iron something, do yourself a favour and save the task until after sunset – it’ll stop you from getting hot and sticky on a warm summer’s day!