Here in the UK, summers are getting hotter and as temperatures rise, it becomes harder to keep your home cool and comfortable. Opening windows isn’t always effective and should be avoided for home security or if you do not want pets to escape.
Having a hot house, especially at night, can leave you sleep deprived, grumpy and not your best self. Fortunately, there are many ways to keep your house cool without breaking the bank. This blog post will provide you with useful tips to beat the heat this summer and keep your family cool and comfortable.
Keep Windows Covered
One of the most effective ways to keep your house cool is to keep the sun out. Use curtains or blinds to cover your windows during the day, especially those facing south and west. Consider investing in blackout or thermal curtains or blinds. Both types can be effective at reflecting heat away from the window and not letting it enter a room.
You can also use reflective window film, aka mirror film. This blocks UV, adds daytime privacy and prevents heat from entering your home.
Use Fans Strategically
Not everyone wants to keep their windows covered, especially if you are working from home all day. Instead, create a cross-breeze by placing one fan facing out of a window, and one fan about a metre away facing into the room. The window fan should pull hot air out the room and the second fan should circulate cooler air quicker.
Another trick with a fan is using ice to create a cooler breeze. Fill a large fizzy drinks bottle with water and freeze it. Place it in a tray and cover it with a wet towel. Place your fan behind it so the air rushes over the freezing wet towels and becomes nice and cold.
Invest In An Air Conditioner
There are a variety of different air conditioners available that range in price. If you have the budget you could get air conditioning installed into your home. A cheaper option is to buy a smaller air con unit on wheels that has a tube vent which can be placed out of a window when in use.
A portable air conditioner can be moved from the bedroom to the office in the morning to keep you cool during the day after running during the night. It’s important to make sure the unit is as energy efficient as possible and check how much it will cost to run.
Plant More Trees
Strategically planting trees around your house can help block sunlight and provide natural shade. Consider planting tall deciduous trees on the south and west sides of your house. Deciduous trees lose their leaves in the winter which allow sunlight through. In the spring the leaves grow back and provide the shade you need.
Trees do take a long time to grow but some native trees can grow quite fast. The Woodland Trust recommends growing:
- Alder,
- Hazel,
- Rowen,
- Common Beech,
- Silver Birch and
- Willow.
These trees are known to be fast growers (as far as trees go), Willow trees can grow as much as 100cm each year!
Install Pet Proof Screens
If keeping your windows open during the summer is not an option because you have indoor only pets, there is an option. Mosquito and fly screens can be made with stronger mesh so that they become cat, dog and bird proof.
Strong mesh screens for windows and doors of all types are available with a variety of installation options. Some of the methods for affixing animal proof screens require screwing frames onto your windows and others are as simple as attaching sticky tape to the window frame. Budgets, sizes and colours differ, but if keeping your indoor pet safe is a priority, an animal proof screen may just be the thing you need.
Which of these tips works best for your home will differ depending on your priorities and budget. Working from home effectively, preventing pets and children from over-heating, as well as getting a good nights sleep can be achieved with these tips for keeping your house cool in the summer.
If your windows are letting too much heat in even when closed, it’s time to get them upgraded with more energy efficient windows. Talk to us about how better windows keep the heat out.
