10 Tips to keep you and your home cool this summer- A360 Architects


You can keep yourself and your home cool this summer while protecting the environment. Here's how.For many people, summer is synonymous with barbecues, beach grills and a dip in the pool. But there are days when the harsh summer sun isn't quite as much fun, and cranking up the air conditioning at home seems like the only option.

We've all been there - those moments when you'd love to turn your house into a freezer and forget about energy costs for the next quarter. But it's important to remember that the high energy consumption associated with cooling homes in the summer contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming.

Check out these 10 tips to help you and your home stay cool, save money and protect the planet:

1. Close your blinds

Keep your blinds closed, especially on windows that face north and west, to cool your home significantly. Even better, invest in blackout curtains to protect your home from the harsh summer sun.

2. Block the heat

If you prevent heat from entering your home, you'll have to spend less on cooling. Shade windows and walls with outdoor coverings, such as blinds, awnings or large potted plants. Plant deciduous trees that provide shade in the summer but let the sun through in the winter. If you've the option, invest in window tinting and insulate your ceilings - this will help retain heat in the winter.

3. Just 1oC more

If you must use your air conditioner, set the thermostat at 24-27oC, or as high as you see fit. Increasing the thermostat by just 1oC in warm weather can reduce your unit's operating costs by about 10 percent.

If you're looking to upgrade your air conditioner, choose one with a high energy rating and do some thorough research to make sure you're choosing the right type of air conditioner for your home.

4. Adjust ceiling fans

Sometimes you may feel like ceiling fans are just pushing hot air around your home instead of cooling it down. You're not wrong about that - fans that don't rotate counterclockwise might do just that!

Set your ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise in the summer to push air straight down for a cooling effect, and clockwise in the winter to pull cool air up. Set the fan to a high speed in warm weather and to a low speed in cooler weather. Ceiling fans can also be used to supplement other cooling methods. So if you make sure they're spinning in the right direction, it can make a big difference to the temperature in your home.

5. Close doors and seal gaps

Close doors to rooms you're not using to keep cool air where you need it most. Seal gaps around doors and windows and use draft stoppers to keep cool air from escaping.

Note: Evaporative air conditioners are more effective if you open some doors and windows to increase airflow through the home.

6. Stay outside in the evening

During the day, it may seem like a good idea to close your windows and stay inside, but when it gets cooler in the evening, open your home to cool it naturally - just make sure you lock up for the night!

Cooking dinner in the backyard or park can also be a cooler alternative to a steamy kitchen, so take advantage of a cool breeze when you can.

7. Refresh yourself, don't cool yourself down

Drink ice-cold beverages, put a damp cloth on the back of your neck and other pressure points on your body, or take a cold shower to cool your body down without having to turn on the air conditioner.

8. Chop a fan

Don't have air conditioning? No need to worry about it! A cleverly placed bowl of ice is all you need to turn a fan into a cold misting machine. Place a shallow bowl or pot of ice in front of a fan to create an icy breeze that won't break the bank.

9. Choose cotton

Cotton fabrics are especially breathable and cool your body. Wear light, loose clothing made of breathable fabrics like cotton, and cover your bed with cotton sheets.

10. Change your light bulbs

If you're having trouble cooling your home and can't figure out why, light bulbs could be to blame. These bulbs were phased out in Australia years ago, but many homes still use them. They generate a lot of heat. So if you switch to energy-saving bulbs, you can cool your home and save a lot of energy costs at the same time - a win-win situation!


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