Lifestyle
Keep your House Cool Naturally
13-Jan-2020
The summer months are upon us and trying to maximise natural cooling can be essential for lowering the bills. Here are some tips and tricks to help you cool your home down without turning on the air conditioning.
Create shade
Introducing shade around the house in outside areas can have a significant impact on the overall coolness of your home. This is especially important around the west and north facing windows where the most sun can shine through. Ways to introduce shade could be with removable shades or even block-out summer plants. Plants are a great idea as they bloom in summer, blocking out the heat but then in winter when the leaves drop it allows the sun rays in to warm the home up.
Also ensure your eaves are the right size and angled to keep the summer sun at bay, and later on will allow the winter sun through.
Take control of the temperature
For maximum air flow, you need to learn when to open up your house and when it is time to close everything up.
In the summer, its usually a good idea to open all the doors and windows in the early morning as well as the evening to let the air flow through your house, but in the middle of the day you might want to pull the curtains down and shut the doors to block any unwanted heat out.
Go for glazing
Although it can be expensive to do so, it may be a great investment for the summer months. Double glazing is where two or more glass window panes are used to reduce heat transferring from outside to inside. This is achieved through a vacuum or gas filled space between the two window panes.
If you are unable to change your windows, there are other options that have similar effects to double glazing. For older windows you could consider retrofitting them with films to act as an extra barrier.
Treat your windows well
How you cover your windows will also contribute to keeping your house cool. Try to choose natural fibers and also consider full blackout backings on curtains with a sheer overlay for temperature control.
Its also good to remember that your choice of frame for your windows will impact the coolness of your home. Aluminium windows, which are generally less expensive are now available with improved thermal performances. You can also choose a Timber or PVC frame to help with temperature control.
Thick thermal mass
Firstly, thermal mass is any material that can absorb and store heat. This includes concrete slabs, brick walls or stone as these materials take a long time to heat up and to cool down. In the warm weather, thermal mass can help maintain a buildings cool temperature.
Be fan savvy
Fans are a great way to cool your house down for a fraction of the cost compared to other cooling methods.
Insulate well
Usually people think of insulation as a way to keep the warm in, however insulation can also help to keep your house cool in the summer. This is an option for houses old and new. It can be put in between walls, floors and ceilings.
Create shade
Introducing shade around the house in outside areas can have a significant impact on the overall coolness of your home. This is especially important around the west and north facing windows where the most sun can shine through. Ways to introduce shade could be with removable shades or even block-out summer plants. Plants are a great idea as they bloom in summer, blocking out the heat but then in winter when the leaves drop it allows the sun rays in to warm the home up.
Also ensure your eaves are the right size and angled to keep the summer sun at bay, and later on will allow the winter sun through.
Take control of the temperature
For maximum air flow, you need to learn when to open up your house and when it is time to close everything up.
In the summer, its usually a good idea to open all the doors and windows in the early morning as well as the evening to let the air flow through your house, but in the middle of the day you might want to pull the curtains down and shut the doors to block any unwanted heat out.
Go for glazing
Although it can be expensive to do so, it may be a great investment for the summer months. Double glazing is where two or more glass window panes are used to reduce heat transferring from outside to inside. This is achieved through a vacuum or gas filled space between the two window panes.
If you are unable to change your windows, there are other options that have similar effects to double glazing. For older windows you could consider retrofitting them with films to act as an extra barrier.
Treat your windows well
How you cover your windows will also contribute to keeping your house cool. Try to choose natural fibers and also consider full blackout backings on curtains with a sheer overlay for temperature control.
Its also good to remember that your choice of frame for your windows will impact the coolness of your home. Aluminium windows, which are generally less expensive are now available with improved thermal performances. You can also choose a Timber or PVC frame to help with temperature control.
Thick thermal mass
Firstly, thermal mass is any material that can absorb and store heat. This includes concrete slabs, brick walls or stone as these materials take a long time to heat up and to cool down. In the warm weather, thermal mass can help maintain a buildings cool temperature.
Be fan savvy
Fans are a great way to cool your house down for a fraction of the cost compared to other cooling methods.
Insulate well
Usually people think of insulation as a way to keep the warm in, however insulation can also help to keep your house cool in the summer. This is an option for houses old and new. It can be put in between walls, floors and ceilings.