8 Tips to Keep Your House Cool During This Summer

It’s hot, isn’t it? Wondering how to keep cool in the heatwave? With temperatures set to sore this summer, we've compiled a list of the best to beat the heat and stay cool.

1 ) CLOSE BLINDS AND CURTAINS

Keeping your house cool is essential during a heatwave and, if you find that your house lets in direct sunlight, especially in the afternoon, you could find that conditions quickly become unbearable. If your house does experience more sunlight throughout the day then it’s recommended you keep your curtains, shutters and blinds shut to stop the sunlight from beaming into your home. This will keep things marginally cooler and slightly more bearable during heatwaves.

2) COOK WISELY

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Eat cold meals, cook outside on the grill, or use the microwave for cooking, when possible, to minimize heat indoors.

Here’s how to beat the heat when you do cook indoors:

Use pressure cookers and slow cookers
Cover pots to minimize indoor humidity.
Use a range hood or microwave vent fan to vent hot air outside.
Check the oven by turning on the light and looking through the glass, rather than opening the oven door.
Turn the oven off a few minutes before food is cooked to reduce oven heat.

3) TURN OFF ELECTRONICS

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Computers, TVs and other electronics generate quite a bit of heat when sitting idle or even when turned off, so unplug devices when they’re not in use.

Another easy way to beat the heat these electronics produce is to plug them into a surge protector that has an on/off switch, then turn the switch off when the devices are not in use.

4) USE FANS FOR COOLING

It’s only effective when you’re in the room to feel the cooling, so turn fans off when you leave.

When you need to beat the heat, run ceiling fans in a counterclockwise direction (when looking up) when you’re in the room to help keep you cool through evaporation.

5) CLEAN AIR CONDITIONER FILTERS

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While your AC system is cranking away, the filter is getting more use than usual. Cleaning the AC air filter every month or so during the highest-use months allows air to flow easily through the system, making it run more efficiently and saving energy.

6) PUT OFF CHORES

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Don’t run the dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer, or other appliances during the heat of the day, since these machines generate heat and humidity that will be hard to overcome.

If you really want to beat the heat, you need to change your habits — just for the summer — and put these chores off until evening when possible.

When cleaning clothes:

Wash clothes in cold water.
Run the washer or dryer only if you have a full load.
Choose the shortest wash cycle that gets the job done.
Clean dryer vent pipe and lint screen regularly to lower drying time.
Dry clothes outside on a clothesline when possible.

7) INVEST IN SOME HOUSE PLANTS

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House plants have really been having a moment recently and we can’t deny that they certainly make our houses happier. As well as being proven to boost your mood, house plants can also help keep your house cool.

Plants act as natural air conditioners and generate moisture into the atmosphere through a process known as transpiration.

The most heat-efficient plants are peace lilies and rubber plants as they work best in humid conditions.

So having a house plants or two around will help keep house cool in summer naturally. Just don’t forget to water them – especially as the temperature creeps up outside!

8) STAY HYDRATED

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It’s imperative that you drink plenty of water during any heatwave; keep your fridge stocked up with bottled water and consider putting some in the freezer that you can use as ice blocks for when the temperature reaches its peak in the afternoon. It is important to keep your body hydrated so you do not end up suffering from heat stroke or dehydration headaches and migraines.

Dehydration in hot weather can be avoided by regularly drinking cool drinks such as water or fruit juice and avoiding hot caffeinated drinks like tea or coffee. You may need to keep drinking even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoiding alcohol is also a good idea as it will only make the dehydration worse.