Keep Your House Cool
We’re heading into spring, and it’s never too early to start preparing for the scorching Perth summer. Here are 8 tips to help you keep your house cool and stay chilled in the heat.
1) Shade windows externally
While curtains block sunlight, even light-coloured ones can hold onto heat. On the most sun exposed side of the house, it’s better to shade from the outside as well, whether that’s simple cloth shade, cheap reflective film, roller shutters, or shade sails. Trees are also really effective, but a bigger commitment.
2) Open windows strategically
It’s simple: open them at night, close them during the day. To be really smart, open the top part of the windows on the downwind side of the house, and the bottom part of those on the upwind side to create an air current.
3) Insulate
This applies double when using air conditioning. Keeping cold air is more efficient, and saves you money. Shut doors, and seal gaps with weather strips (which keeps heat in during winter, too). The same applies to the roof – good insulation keeps the heat from your roof out of the house in summer, and keeps it in during winter.
4) Become a fan (user)
Again, fans are cheaper, and better for the environment. You can use them along with old tricks like spray bottles, wet towels, soaking your feet in cold water, and wetting your hair to increase the effect. When using them with air con, set that to 26°C – you don’t want Arctic, just comfort. If you have exhaust fans and bathroom fans, use them!
5) Minimise oven use
On those really hot days, its best not cook a roast and heat up the house from the inside as well. Think about how you use the oven and keep the kitchen as cool as you can.
6) Sort your bedding
Speaking of sleeping, make sure you switch your sheets to cotton so your skin can breathe (also a good tip for clothes). If you’re usually a bit of a hot head at night, get yourself a buckwheat pillow or Chillow.
7) House improvements & maintenance
These are larger jobs, but they give you long-term benefits, so they’re worth considering, especially if you’re already planning to have work done.
- First, if you have an air conditioner, look after it to keep it running efficiently – shade the outdoor part, and clean the filters regularly.
- Next, paint your walls and roof a light colour to reflect heat, but check with your council first, as some have rules about roof colour.
- If you’re having windows replaced, avoid getting ones with aluminium frames as they let heat in easily.
- Finally, remove or shade any outdoor paving, which stores heat.
8) Shade your outdoor living areas
We highly recommend installing outdoor blinds around your patio, verandah or outdoor entertaining area. The dark shade mesh blinds will protect you against the sun and hot winds that blow during our summer in Perth (and they’ll keep you warmer in winter!). Get in touch for a no obligation free quote.
There’s plenty you can do to cool your house, from small things that need little effort to bigger ones that will last for years. It’s easy to save money, and cool your house (and yourself!).
