Summer has arrived! It is time to chill out—enjoy the sun, beach, and great company.
But when it comes to summer entertainment, there is nothing worse than sitting in an overcrowded and hot house.
Luckily, these quick tips should help keep your home cool this summer.
An air conditioning system is a wonderful way to lower the temperature of your home. But it can be a costly exercise. If you must use your cooling system, set the thermostat between 22–24°C.
Increasing your thermostat by just 1°C, could reduce your running costs by 10 per cent.
If you are looking to install an air conditioning system, take some time to do your homework and double-check the energy-star rating.
In addition, if you have a ceiling fan, ensure they are rotating counter-clockwise to help create a downdraft that will provide a cooling effect in your home over the summer months.
There are a variety of low-cost strategies to help keep your home cool this summer.
For example, appliances can generate heat and increase the humidity levels in your home when they operate. So, instead of putting your dishwasher or washing machine on in the middle of the afternoon, consider using these devices at the end of the day.
Many of these appliances have a delay feature, which means you can schedule a load of washing for overnight. The extra perks include a fresh set of washed goods when you wake up in the morning.
Another habit that’s worth breaking is leaving your lights on when you aren't using the room. Some light bulbs can increase the room temperature, which means your air conditioner will need to work harder to cool you down.
You may want to do some research around switching to LED llights too if you haven't already. They are an effective way to reduce your power bills during the summer months.
Keeping your home cool means you must stop the heat from entering in the first place.
Shade windows, awnings, blinds, and large potted plants are all incredible ways to minimise the heat from entering your home.
Remember, if you have block out blinds, use them to your advantage on these warmer days.
In the same way that keeping your doors shut during winter can keep your room warm, you should follow the same technique for the summer months.
Seal off any cracks and gaps to guarantee the cool air is not escaping, you may even want to consider draught excludes for your doors and windows.