Everybody loves the warmth of summertime, but in a country where the temperatures soar practically all year round, it’s best to find creative and cheap cooling methods to maintain a comfortable environment at home. Alex Kuchel, Assistant Marketing Manager for Australian Outdoor Living provides helpful tips to stay cool in the Aussie heat
Without a cool house, you may find it impossible to cool down. The house is where you go to seek respite from harsh temperatures outside, but with a stuffy house ill-prepared for a heat wave; your summers may become unbearable. Thankfully, there are actually a number of simple things you can do to create a summer-friendly home.
Keep the light out
Where there’s visible light, there’s heat. By keeping the curtains and blinds closed during the day, the house stays a few degrees cooler. Sometimes direct sunlight on window frames can transmit heat into the house. The use of roller blinds installed outside the house will shield your window frames from the direct sunlight.
Crack a window
When the temperature drops later in the day, try leaving doors ajar and windows slightly open to improve cool air circulation indoors (if it’s not a security concern). This will help purge warm air from the house’s interior.
Eliminate heat sources
Electrical appliances are sources of heat – computers, televisions, ovens, stoves, incandescent lights, etc. Switch them on only when necessary to avoid raising the temperature indoors. This helps save energy as well.
Cool down inside
People needn’t be reminded to wear loose and light-coloured clothing in summer weather. It also pays to have access to an abundance of drinking water to keep everyone hydrated and avoid heat-related conditions.
Splash down
A swimming pool is always a welcome feature in warm weather. Socialising at poolside will take your mind away from the heat as you enjoy the relaxing atmosphere with friends and family. Another way to exploit the cooling effects of water is to install an evaporative cooling system from companies like Mode Heating & Cooling. Not only are these kinds of systems more energy-efficient than refrigeration-types, they also benefit the environment as well thanks to the reduced CFCs, HFCs, and greenhouse gas emissions.
(Article excerpt and image from “Beat the Heat in Your Home: Surviving Australia’s Summertime”, Australian Outdoor Living)
