Energy expert’s 5 tricks will keep your house cool as temperatures rise outside – without running up your bills
AN energy expert has shared five tricks to keep your home cool this summer.
The energy-conserving advice helps keep temperatures low without running up your electric bill.
Amy Barker, head of marketing at 100Green, shared the money-saving tricks.
A helpful technique, though it may seem obvious to some, is to block out the sun.
“Many of us are guilty of letting the sun stream in through the window – especially after it feels like it’s been missing for so long,” Barker said.
“One of the easiest ways to keep your home cool during the warmer weather is to actually keep your blinds or curtains closed, particularly if the window sits on a south or west-facing wall.
“They’ll act as a barricade and help keep the temperature down, but if you do want to have them open to let some light in, try to avoid doing this during the hottest parts of the day, perhaps just opening in the evening to enjoy the last bit of the sun.”
Barker explained that while you don’t have to keep yourself hidden in the dark forever, there are ideal times during the day to open your window.
“A good general rule of thumb is to only open your windows first thing in the morning or evening and throughout the night,” she said.
“This usually means avoiding having them open between about 11 am and 3 pm (the hottest part of the day).”
“Another good tip is to open windows at opposite ends of your home to create a draft. Moving air is cooler than still air, so you’ll create a bit of a breeze and allow the air to circulate better.
“You can even take it one step further by hanging a damp sheet in front of the open window, which will cool the air as it moves into your home.”
On hot days, it’s generally a good idea to avoid using your hot appliances.
“Kitchen goods such as ovens or tumble dryers will cause your kitchen to warm up – and quickly,” Barker said.
“So, rather than using a tumble dryer, dry your clothes on the washing line – the old-fashioned way.
“Similarly, TVs, set-top boxes, DVDs, mobile phone chargers, games consoles, stereos, and PCs use small amounts of electricity when they are plugged in but not switched on, but they can generate a lot of heat.
You should avoid synthetic bedding and opt for cotton or linen.
Amy Barker
“While the standby energy consumed is small, the overall energy consumption does add up.”
The simple trick can save homeowners hundreds of dollars a year.
Barker explained that even the right home decor, such as bedding and house plants, can help.
“You should avoid synthetic bedding and opt for cotton or linen,” she said.
“Cotton and linen are known for being breathable materials, so the hot air won’t be as likely to get trapped under your duvet, and you’ll be less likely to get that ‘clammy’ feeling you do with synthetic materials.
“When our homes get too hot, plants go through a process called transpiration, which helps them to cool down.
“This also means that when our homes get too hot, plants will let this excess humidity evaporate through their leaves, and as it does this, heat will be removed from the air, which also helps our homes to cool down.”