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It’s one thing having a cool home, as in beautiful looking. It’s another having a cool home as in temperature. As the Met Office issues extreme heat warnings and water companies announce hosepipe bans, staying inside can be appealing – but only if the house is cool.
Here’s our six hacks to happier ‘cool’ homes:
Stopping heat coming in means spending less time, effort and money on cooling. Blinds, awnings and large potted plants all create shade.
Planting deciduous trees that cast shade in summer, but let the sun shine through in winter may not have an effect this year, but will in future years. (Make sure they’re far enough away to not create a problem with foundations.)
Block out bright sunshine, especially through glass. Draw your curtains. Pull down the blinds. Thermal or blackout blinds and curtains can help in this respect.
Leave the windows open to allow air in. Open them back up in the cool of night to let in fresh cool air.
We usually try and stop strong breezes because doors slam and windows bang, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
Whichever side of your home a breeze is coming from, open a window. And then open everything in the breeze’s path to allow it to blow through. Prop doors open safely, and move anything that will blow over out of the way.
(Forget this tip if the wind is so hot that it’s blowing like a hairdryer, of course.)
Given the rising price of electric bills, it goes against the grain to suggest that we use more electric to try and stay cool, but you might also try an electric fan.
If you’re buying one, look at the energy efficiency.And when you use one, direct it upwards for maximum benefit, and make sure there’s nothing obstructing the airflow.
Some suggest that (carefully, safety first!) positioning a bowl of ice filled cold water filled in front of the fan blades helps with this.
Ceiling fans can also create a welcome breeze. Set ceiling fans to rotate counter-clockwise in summer to push air straight down, helping to cool, and set on high speed for maximum effect.
Double and triple glazed keep your house warm in winter but can also help keep it cooler in summer.
If you’re really taking this seriously, and have a budget for it, solar control glass is also an option. (Solar control window film is a cheaper alternative.)
Roof and loft insulation are generally there to stop heat escaping during the winter, but can also stop the heat from a baking roof coming inside during the summer.
Air conditioning works by passing air through a compressor to cool it before blowing it out.
Putting in full on air conditioning is up there with electric fans when it comes to energy consumption, but there’s that or the slightly cheaper option, portable air conditioning units.
When choosing air conditioning units, bear in mind that they are rated in British Thermal Units (BTU). Be sure to take advice to see that the BTU is enough for the space you want to cool.
Units also need to be vented, taking the warm, stale air outside, usually a tube through a window or wall.
Closing doors to rooms not in use will help keep cool air-conditioned air where it’s needed, as will draught excluders which ensure that cool air can’t escape.
Before installing, however, read up on health concerns surrounding air conditioning units. (Ventilation is vital!)
Electrical appliances - including chargers, light bulbs, TVs and laptops - all create heat. Stop them generating warmth by switching off!
It’s also worth noting that LED bulbs give off less heat, as well as saving money, by using less power.
Objects can store heat. Getting rid of things that are lying around will create a cooler looking space.
Cotton and linen, bamboo fabrics and lyocell hold a lot less heat than velvet or polyester, lycra, nylon or wool (with fine wools like merino being something of an exception).
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