6 Tips to Beat the Summer Heat & Keep Your House Cool
A bit of summer warmth after a cold winter and cool spring can feel like a blessing. Outdoor activities, BBQ’s, day trips to the beach, or just sitting enjoying the heat; summer really is a great time. That is until the temperatures start to peak and you try to get a good night’s sleep.
Summer heat can be both a blessing and a curse. But knowing how best to control the heat and keep you and your house cool will mean that sunny forecasts don’t have to be something to dread.
Here are six of our top tips to keep cool in the summer:
Sealing Gaps
Keep doors and windows closed whenever possible, and sealing any gaps with draught excluders will help to keep the cool air in and the hot air out. Cheap temperature sensor guns can be purchased online or at your local hardware store and are great for identifying areas where extra insulation may be required. Of course, check your air-conditioners instructions first, though, as some models work best with airflow through the property.
Cotton Fabrics
Selecting the right fabrics will make a big difference in how comfortable you feel in the heat. Natural fabrics generally breathe better and feel cooler in the heat than synthetics. This is especially important when it comes to bedding as nobody likes overheating and sweating in their sleep. Linen is a good choice for clothing but may feel too rough for bedding and other household fabrics, in which case cotton is another great option.
Blinds/Shutters
Blinds or shutters can help to significantly reduce the amount of thermal exposure to a room. Blockout blinds are a great solution because while they help to reduce the heat gains of a room, they can also be opened slightly to allow airflow, giving you the best of both worlds. Plantation shutters are a particularly good solution here as their solid construction and design offer additional insulation.
Focus on You
It can be hard to control the temperature in a whole building, whereas it’s much easier to control your own temperature. If you are struggling to keep the house cool, focus more on keeping yourself cool—they aren’t necessarily one and the same. Regular cool drinks, light and breathable clothing, and cool, damp towels (pop them in the freezer for an extra chill) are all great ways to help keep you cool regardless of the ambient temperature.
Turn Thermostats Up
Turning your thermostat up probably doesn’t seem like the best idea when it’s hot out. But another factor to consider in the peak of summer is that constant use of air-conditioning will cause your energy usage and costs to sky-rocket. Being able to afford to stay cool when you really need it is important. Turning your thermostat up by a single degree can reduce costs by up to 10%. Running it slightly warmer during the day means you can afford to turn it down at night to help with a good nights sleep, without it costing a fortune.
Natural Cooling
The temperature naturally drops overnight, and while it may still feel warm, it’s generally a good few degrees cooler. Taking advantage of this time to naturally cool your home will make things easier the following day as temperatures start to rise again, especially when combined with the other methods here to keep the heat out. Leave windows open and create good airflow with fans to allow cool air to circulate.
How Can 1800 Blinds Help?
1800 Blinds’ mission is to supply customers with the best and highest quality range of blinds throughout the Sydney area. We offer a wide range of blinds ideally suited to any home, including an extensive range of blockout blinds and plantation shutters to keep you cool in the summer. Through creative use of advertising, we are able to keep our costs low and pass on those savings to our customers, making working with 1800 Blinds to ease the summer heat an obvious choice. Speak to the friendly team at 1800 Blinds to see how we can help keep your home cooler in the summer heat.