Beat The Heat; 6 Cool Cost-Effective Tips
As temperatures rise, staying cool becomes more than just a comfort issue, but a health and budget concern for many. While you’re dreaming about retrofitting, renovating or building a new home, what can you do right now to beat the summer heat? The following tips offer practical and budget-friendly advice, as well as common mistakes people make operating their home in during a heat wave.
1. Night Ventilation.
Open your windows at night when the outside temperature matches or drops below the inside temperature. This doesn’t just cool the inside air, but also draws warmth out of the materials within your home, so aim to do this even in rooms you aren’t using.
2. Close up Early.
Shut windows and doors in the morning before it starts warming up. By doing so, you capitalize on the cool materials in your home, delaying the onset of heat. Many people make the mistake of waiting until it feels warm inside but by then you’ve already given the home a chance to heat up.
3. External Sun Shading.
Prevent sun strike to windows by shading your windows externally. While closing your curtains will delay the room warming, you’re still letting the sun inside the home. Shading externally is significantly more effective. A simple tablecloth or piece of cardboard can do the trick!
4. Smart Fan Use.
I’m a big fan of fans! They use little energy to make you feel cooler, but remember, they enhance comfort rather than alter the temperature. If you don’t have air-conditioning, placing wet towels near the fan can provide a further small boost. (Fans can also assist night time cooling if you don’t have great cross ventilation or window openings).
5. Draft Sealing for Summer:
Draft sealing isn't just for winter; it's equally crucial in keeping the heat out during summer. Explore DIY solutions for draft proofing at home, with resources like www.greenityourself.com.au
6. Efficient Air-Conditioning:
Even if you have air-conditioning, implementing these tips will help you get more bang for your buck. And don’t forget, consider adjusting your air-conditioning use towards cheaper power periods or when your solar power is at its peak.
Whether you’re looking to save money, protect your health, maintain your sanity or reduce your carbon footprint this summer, active management and simple adjustments at home can make a difference.
Where to find more
If you’re looking for ideas on what retrofit steps you could take beyond this, see the full details of what we did to our 90s brick-veneer home to more than halve its heating and cooling requirements for less than $10k.