10 Tips to Keep Your House Cool This Summer

Summer brings a lot of joy with it—vacations, picnics, mangoes, and so much more! But the only downfall of summer is perhaps the heat. With rising temperatures around the globe, summers are getting almost unbearable and the scorching heat is taking its toll on all of us. Staying indoors as the heat rages on is the best way to stay protected during summer.

At the same time, maintaining pleasant temperatures inside the home isn’t easy without air conditioners. That said, air conditioners aren’t the best way to stay cool as they impact the environment and at a steep cost too. Though ACs may seem like the ideal way to keep cool this summer, there are other nifty ways to enjoy a cool home. Let us take a look at some of them!

1. Invest in block out curtains

Block out curtains are made from thick fabric or material that have insulating properties. They are especially useful if you have a home or windows that face north or west. Block out curtains prevent heat from getting trapped inside and retain cooler temperatures. In summers, the afternoon sun is at its hottest and windows receiving light from the west usually have the hottest rooms in the house.

2. Cross ventilate

Closing doors on the sun may be an effective way to stay cool, but cross ventilation is a proven way to reduce indoor temperatures too. Cross ventilation is when you have two doors/openings one after the other that keep air flowing freely and freshly through the space. This helps move stale air through the house creating a cooling atmosphere indoors.

3. Make friends with the green

Enjoy a cooler home by strategically placing potted plants or planting trees around the home. You can also try placing large potted plants directly in the way of the sun during summers is a great way to block out heat while adding beauty to your indoor spaces. Creepers like pothos grown on windows can also effectively soak up most of the heat and cool small spaces in your home. If you have the space outside the home, plant deciduous trees that provide shade without hindering ventilation at the same time.

4. Check your ceiling fans

Did you know? Ceiling fans rotating in the clockwise direction may be increasing the temperature of your home instead of cooling it down. Ceiling fans rotating clockwise pull cool air upwards and are counter effective to the purpose of installing them in the first place. So the next time you have a fan running and still feel like you are in an oven, check the direction of the fan.

5. Seal gaps

Now, this one may seem obvious but a lot of homeowners still miss it. Most windows may have thin gaps between the walls and frames. In summers, this seemingly small gap could trap a lot of heat in the room despite curtains, awnings, or shades. Use sealants to close off any gaps and enjoy cooler temperatures during summers.

6. Go outdoors in the evenings

Staying inside during the day in summers may seem like the most logical way to stay cool. But during the evenings, enjoy the temperature drop outside. Taking a walk outside or doing activities outdoors can help you enjoy the cool side of summer.

7. Stay hydrated

Though this may seem like a no-brainer, staying hydrated can significantly help you enjoy a cooler summer. Sip on cool beverages, apply a damp cloth to the back of your neck, and munch on watery fruits. Wear loose fitting clothes made from cotton and other natural fabrics. Fit your bed with cotton bedsheets and take a break from blankets. Though they are small changes, they can help you feel cooler as the sun beats down.

8. Invest in a dehumidifier

Most coastal areas in India have a hot and humid climate. Humidity causes you to sweat a lot more leaving you in soaked clothes and feeling sticky. A dehumidifier can help reduce the feeling of discomfort and thus help you feel cooler even in very hot locations.

9. Declutter the house

Unsurprisingly, too much clutter in the room can increase temperatures inside the house. In summers, hot air tends to get trapped between furniture creating stagnant hot air pockets. Moving the furniture frequently can help release these pockets, and decluttering helps avoid them altogether.

10. Switch to energy saving bulbs

If you have done everything in your control to keep your home cool but still can’t figure out where the heat is coming from, maybe you should check out your lights. Incandescent bulbs create a lot of heat and are damaging to the environment too. Install energy saving bulbs in your home for a cooler summer.

Our country is well known for clever hacks and tricks and this holds true for keeping homes cool during summers too. Other tips like dampening entrances, installing heat resistant tiles on the terrace floor, hanging damp clothes in the way of the breeze are some hacks you can try to further cool your home.