Now that summer is well and truly upon us it is time to talk about how to stay cool without blowing the energy budget.
Keeping the heat out in the first place is smarter than trying to cool your living spaces after the fact:
- Make sure your home is as draughtproof as you can make it – this will help keep you warmer in winter as well!
- On hot days keep the curtains closed – lighting a space takes less energy than cooling especially if you are using leading edge LED lights – if you have external blinds or awnings, use them
- Set your ceiling fan to summer mode and use it in preference to air conditioning – you’ll be surprised by how much difference it makes
Here are some more tips to help you beat the heat:
- Drink lots of water, it helps you maintain good body health and allows your natural evaporative cooling system to function properly
- Dress for the conditions – just as wearing shorts in winter makes no sense, wearing clothes that keep you warm in hot weather is counter-productive; light weight fabrics that allow your body to breathe are best
- If you’re having trouble sleeping, try a damp flannel draped over your body
- If a cool change comes through overnight, try to open as many windows as possible to allow your home to cool naturally at no cost to you