I am sure very few people plan out ways to keep summer heat out as and when the season comes. Fortunately, abiding by simple theories can help us enormously in this regard. Here are a few tips to help you.
Benefit of general pointers
Points like placement of plants on the south and west (talking specifically about the Southern Hemisphere), sheltered awnings and opening windows in the evenings (to let the breeze in) are daily fodder and many articles have already been devoted to these solutions.
This said, need for vacuum-cleaned carpets and upholstery and intelligent placement of exhaust fans (opposite to the wall window) cannot be overstated. If possible, install a large netted window on the East.
Summer heat tips
Install air purifier and a UV filtration. This negates the possibility of moulds to a large extent and keeps the indoor air quality appreciable. Seal the ducts and small cracks in your doors, windows and walls. This automatically makes your air conditioner work on a song.
Go ‘blind’ for windows
An investment in blinds won’t go amiss in summer (installing shutters in summer may give a suffocating feeling). Buy white aluminium blinds and these will solve two problems. While the blinds have the capacity to completely shut off the Sun at daytime, the white colour will ensure coolness at night.
Strategic placement of horizontal blinds can ensure decent illumination inside your home without artificial lights, something that accentuates the summer heat element.
Energy-efficient LED lights
It has almost become a moral to raise the point of LED lights when we talk about how to lessen heat quotient. Incandescent bulbs emit enormous heat. CFLs are a huge improvement on them but nothing can beat the subtlety of energy-efficient LED lights. They emit nominal heat and you can further the idea by opting for dimmers in various areas of your house (the dining area for instance).
Reduce the heat quotient
Compared to early 20th century homes, today’s homes are way hotter. This is because our houses are replete with electronic gadgets and appliances, a prospect that raises the heat gradient of any house by several notches. While I cannot recommend you to abstain from using these gadgets, the least you can do is to employ Energy Star-rated products.
Live around the Living Wall
Another baby, rocking the ‘Green’ cradle is the Living Wall or the Green Wall. Simply put, it is a wall of greenery pasted on the actual wall of your house to impart it superior indoor air quality, stronger insulation, edge against bacteria and moulds, and inarguably greater degree of coolness (and comfort).
Bonus Tip – State-of-the-art gadgets like the ‘Learning Thermostat’ (Nest Labs baby) can go a long way in minimizing summer heat. Imagine a machine that reads your style of living and accordingly adjusts the temperature to suit your taste; even when you are away.
What plans do you have to encounter summer heat this year?
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