During the summers homes tend to heat up especially during the daytime when there are no fans or air-conditioners already installed. Here, we are going to present 13 useful but cost-effective tips that will enable you to keep your home cool during the summers.
1. Aerate at the right time
By using the natural ventilation tactfully, you will gain a few degrees. It is strongly advised keep the windows closed during the day time. However, it is recommended to aerate your home during evening and dusk. Feel free to open the windows and enjoy a light breeze to cool yourself off when the temperatures begin to drop.
2. Use Plant Pots
Especially when it is hot, green plants emit water molecules, which are then evaporated. So, this is the perfect time for you to place your gardening pots throughout your home. Some species such as ficus, the philodendron or the dracaenas easily acclimatize the environment inside. Do not forget to moisten the leaves and water the dry earth in the pots. And if you are lucky enough to own a garden, you can also create areas cool zones around your home by planting large trees and bushes.
3. Covering the roof windows
In the attic, the temperature tends to rise with slightest sunshine. To limit the damage, it is advisable to protect your roof windows. If you do not have appropriate components, simply cover them with cardboard, and place an aluminum foil on it. This little DIY would reduce the impact of heat.
4. Reinforce the insulation of your home
Good insulation is essential to keep moderate temperatures inside, despite high outdoor temperatures. We must therefore limit heat bridges, caulk openings and intelligently install efficient materials. For example you can opt for wood wool
5. Moisten your floor
Playing on the principle of evaporation, simply moisten the floor with cold water to make it a little fresh. For example you can mop the floor. Please note that this technique is not suitable for all coatings. If you have waxed parquet, oiled or carpeting, better not to soak them.
6. Switch off your appliances
Whether its your TV, your computer or your DVD drive, all devices produce heat, even when in standby. By turning off the ones you do not use, you lightly regulate the temperature of your home while making small energy savings. A trick that is simple and easy to implement, but that needs thinking.
7. Close your shutters
© goodluz – Fotolia.comBy closing your shutters in the early morning until late evening will help protect the interior from the sun. For efficiency, do not hesitate to pull your curtains. And if you suffer from lack of light, you can light a few lamps, keeping in mind that this may generate additional heat.
8. Replace your incandescent bulbs
In addition to being energy-intensive, filament bulbs produce heat. When its really hot, even the least degree counts. Take the opportunity to replace them with compact fluorescent lamps or LED.
9. Ventilate
If the fans only brew hot air, with a little ingenuity, they can also lower the temperature. Place a wet towel or better frozen bottles of water in front of your fan, you can enjoy the freshness created by the evaporation of molecules of cold water. Attention this tip tends to increase the humidity in the room, which is not recommended for infants and the elderly.
10. Use wet sheets
Here’s a grandmother tip, which is not aesthetic, but has the advantage of being free and easy to implement. Simply place wet clothes near open window to get a fresh feel. You can use large sheets. In the same way, think about drying your laundry indoors, outside the window.
11. Buy An Air Cooler
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The air cooler is a device that allows you to decrease the temperature by a few degrees. Greener and cheaper than an air conditioner, it has the advantage of consuming very little power. Easy to install and move, simply plug it in and regularly fill its tank with water.
12. Install heat-resistant film
The sun protection films are sticker filters, placed on your windows. They reduce the light transmission and therefore the heat, thereby reducing overheating in summer. They are particularly recommended for windows.
13. Use water basins
By evaporating the water lowers the temperature of your home. To cool it quickly and inexpensively, simply fill in the basins or bowls with cold water, and distribute them around your home. Beware, if you have small children or pets, better refrain from using many bowls, otherwise you are likely to have to manage a small flood.