With summers round the corner, it is once again time to gear up for scorching heatwaves. Tropical summers can be a nightmare, especially in urban areas with minimal green cover and high pollution levels. High temperatures bring along a sense of discomfort that might hamper your productivity and functioning, therefore making it essential to adopt cooling measures. So whether you wish to reduce your reliance on air conditioners this summer or make the cooling more effective, here are some tips you can adopt to beat the heat and keep your space comfortable.
See also: Keep your summer cool with these 5 storage ideas
Closing curtains and blinds
The peak sunlight hours of Indian summers typically fall between 10AM and 5PM. To ensure a comfortable indoor temperature, it is necessary to block the heat from entering during this duration. Therefore, make sure to keep curtains and blinds closed for this time period to avoid a rise in indoor temperatures. Here’s a pro tip: light coloured curtains with a white backing for added insulation is more effective in reflecting heat than darker, thicker curtains. Furthermore, you can also consider insulating your windows for extra protection. Go for blackout curtains, thermal blinds or honeycomb shades for efficient results.
Reflective window film
Another effective way to block heat from entering through windows is by applying a self-adhesive reflective film that reflects infrared heat, keeping indoor temperatures in check. You should especially consider it if your home faces the south or the west direction, as they receive the most sunlight during summer months.
Smart ceiling fan usage
In summers, it is recommended to let your ceiling fans spin counterclockwise for better cooling. By pushing the air down, this creates a wind-chill effect that can be helpful in keeping the room temperature in check. Don’t forget to adjust the speed as per the cooling requirement! Remember, higher the speed setting, better the airflow in warmer conditions.
Facilitating cross ventilation
Create a natural airflow across the indoor space by opening windows and doors and allowing the air to enter from opposite directions. As the cool air enters from one side, the warmer air gets pushed out from the other, creating a pleasant and comfortable effect. You can further enhance this effect and ensure maximum efficiency by placing box fans or exhaust fans near windows.
The ice bowl hack
This DIY cooling trick is super easy and highly effective for targeted cooling in specific rooms. All you have to do is fill a large bowl with ice or frozen water bottles and place it directly in front of a fan, and voila! The breeze from the fan is automatically cooler after passing over the ice than it would’ve normally been.
Damp sheet
Another similar DIY hack involves dampening a bedsheet or towel with cold water and hanging it in front of an open window. The breeze evaporates the moisture as it passes through, thereby cooling the air significantly. If you live in a dry region, this evaporation cooling technique can be especially beneficial.
Switching to LED bulbs
While it might not be very evident, you would be surprised at the amount of heat incandescent and halogen bulbs emit, significantly contributing to higher indoor temperatures. Replacing such light sources with LED bulbs not only reduces the indoor heat buildup, but also reduces the overall energy consumption and results in savings on electricity bills.
Limiting oven use
Many of your kitchen appliances generate a significant amount of heat. These might include ovens, stovetops, and even dishwashers. Cooking cold meals like salads on warmer days can reduce the reliance on such heat-generating kitchen appliances that potentially raise indoor temperatures. Slow cookers, air fryers and microwaves are better alternatives since they generate comparatively lesser heat.
Installing outdoor shades
Awning, pergolas and shade sails not only help keep outdoor spaces shaded, but can also significantly block direct sunlight from entering your home if placed strategically. If possible, you can also consider incorporating vegetation near sun-facing windows to create natural shade and reduce heat absorption.
Ventilating at night
Once the peak daylight hours are over and outdoor temperatures drop, make sure to open all the windows to let the cool air circulate. You can further facilitate the ventilation by placing fans near open windows that draw cooler air and push out warmer air. For best results, leave all bedroom doors open to ensure maximum ventilation and to allow air to flow freely throughout the space.
FAQs
What types of curtains to use to block heat?
Blackout curtains, thermal curtain and honeycomb blinds are most effective in blocking out heat. Light-coloured curtains with reflective backing are recommended for sun-facing windows.
How to naturally improve the airflow in my home?
Facilitating cross ventilation is the key. Open windows on opposite sides of your home and enhance the effect by placing a box fan on one side to draw in cool air.
Can a ceiling fan really cool a room?
When set to spin counterclockwise, the wind-chill effect can make you feel up to 2°C cooler. While they don’t actually lower room temperature, ceiling fans can improve comfort levels.
How can I reduce indoor heat from electronics?
Unplug devices when not in use since many of them emit heat even when on standby. Replace heat-emitting light sources with energy-efficient LED bulbs.
Can indoor plants help cool my home?
Indoor plants like areca palm, aloe vera and snake plants can naturally cool the air. Outdoor vegetation near windows and walls can also facilitate heat absorption.
Should I keep windows open or closed during the day?
It is recommended to keep windows closed during peak daylight hours to trap cooler air inside and open them only when there is a drop in outdoor temperatures.
Do reflective roof coatings help regulate indoor temperatures?
Reflective roof coating or light-coloured roofing materials can reduce heat absorption and are especially beneficial for homes with attics.
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |
