How to prepare your home for hot weather.
As temperatures begin to rise during the summer, people increasingly look for ways to keep their property cool. Many homes in colder areas are often built to retain heat, but that can be a tad uncomfortable during the summer. Here are some practical, effective tips to help you beat the summer heat and keep your home cool:
1. Get the most out of air conditioning
If you are fortunate enough to have air conditioning, this is a great way to keep indoors cool. But it can be an expensive proposition to continuously run it. For efficient use of your air conditioning, set it to a medium temperature rather than placing it at the coldest temperature. Doing so can save energy while keeping you cool. Additionally, ensure that all your air conditioners are always well serviced, with clean filters within them to run efficiently.
2. Insulate your home
Insulation isn’t just important for keeping your home warm in the winter; it also keeps it cool during summer. Proper insulation prevents warm air from going through or reaching the inner parts of a building and cool air from passing to the outer parts. Insulating your loft and walls will make quite a difference, with double glazing for windows to keep indoor conditions cool. Good insulation is a long-term solution to making your home comfortable all year round.
3. Use Fans Effectively
Fans are a cost-effective way to circulate air and create a cooling effect. Place fans closer to the windows to push out hot air and draw in cooler air, especially in the evening when the temperature is at its coolest. For added effect, install ceiling fans. Place a bowl of ice in front of a fan to blow chilled air into the room for added cooling.
4. Opt for Light-Coloured and Lightweight Bedding
The bedding you sleep on may make all the difference in how comfortable you would feel during the hot weather. Replace dark-coloured, heavy bedding with light-coloured, light sheets made of breathable natural fibres like cotton or linen and designed to wick away moisture. Here’s an added cooling trick: Place your sheets in the refrigerator or freezer a few minutes before going to bed. That might have an immediate cooling effect at bedtime. A hot water bottle filled with chilled water will help too.
5. Keep Curtains and Blinds Closed During the Day
Sunlight streaming through windows can significantly raise indoor temperatures. Keeping window curtains and blinds closed during the hottest parts of the day offers some prevention, especially on south-facing windows. Blackout curtains function really well at blocking warmth. As an inexpensive solution, you can install reflective window film inside your windows, blocking heat but allowing some natural light through.
6. Create a Cross-Breeze
You can naturally cool your home by creating a cross-breeze. Open windows on the opposite sides of your home to allow airflow. The windows opposite each other should be opened to let the air flow through. You can also position fans to enhance this cross-breeze, improving ventilation, and lowering indoor temperatures.
7. Regularly Maintain Your Home
Regular maintenance is one process that keeps a house cool. Check for airflow by cleaning the air vents. Seal gaps on windows and doors to keep out warm air and keep in cool air. Ensure trees or awnings provide shade that will help reduce overall heat gain.
Aydin Sigva of Cavitech says
“The best time to prepare for summer is to plan ahead for the next one. Insulation not only keeps your home warm in winter, but it also protects you from the scorching heat in summer.”
Proper insulation helps keep your home comfortable all year round. Our expert team at Cavitech can check your home and suggest the best insulation options for you. We offer services like loft and wall insulation.
Don’t wait for the heatwave! Email us at info@cavitech-uk.com to learn more about our services and how we can help you stay cool and save on energy costs. Let us make your home a cool, comfortable place this summer.