During winter the main concern for home owners was keeping the house warm at a reasonable cost through blocking drafty doors and better insulation. Well now it is getting to summer time you are probably thinking about ways to cool your property. Here are some tips to get you started in addition to your air conditioning unit. Some are a lot easier to implement than others!
The places in your home that are the biggest sources of moisture and heat are kitchens and bathrooms. In these rooms it is important to have an extractor fan, especially in the kitchen to ensure that extra heat is taken away from the room as well as keeping the air fresh and clean. The same goes for the bathroom, having an extractor fan here too will help any excess moisture from hot showers or baths be quickly dispersed leaving your bathroom cool and moisture free.
You can install vents in your roof to improve the temperature in your loft space, which can often become hot and humid during the summer. Vents in the roof will help elevate this heat but it is important that you get these installed by professionals.
Some easier methods of cooling your home include having suitable blinds for windows that face east and west and during the hot days leave activities, such as putting the dishwasher on, until the evening when the temperature is a little cooler as these machines generate extra heat.
The best way to keep your house cool during the day is to leave all windows and doors shut until the sun sets. This will mean that unwanted heat remains outside and when it is cooler in the evening you can reduce the temperature in your home further by opening the windows and doors then.
If you want to use a window fan, ensure that it is facing outwards and at the downwind side of the property. In order for the best effect, a window in each room needs to be open as well as all interior doors to allow for better air circulation.
If you are an avid gardener you could even consider planting trees to add some extra shade to your property but this is something to seriously think about though as they will block sunlight during the autumn and winter months when you are likely to want some warmth.
When you are using your air conditioning it is advised that you don’t use a dehumidifier at the same time. This is because the dehumidifier will increase the amount of cooling that is needed and will mean that your air conditioner will have to work harder, therefore costing you more money.
During winter the main concern for home owners was keeping the house warm at a reasonable cost through blocking drafty doors and better insulation. Well now it is getting to summer time you are probably thinking about ways to cool your property. Here are some tips to get you started in addition to your air conditioning unit. Some are a lot easier to implement than others!
The places in your home that are the biggest sources of moisture and heat are kitchens and bathrooms. In these rooms it is important to have an extractor fan, especially in the kitchen to ensure that extra heat is taken away from the room as well as keeping the air fresh and clean. The same goes for the bathroom, having an extractor fan here too will help any excess moisture from hot showers or baths be quickly dispersed leaving your bathroom cool and moisture free.
You can install vents in your roof to improve the temperature in your loft space, which can often become hot and humid during the summer. Vents in the roof will help elevate this heat but it is important that you get these installed by professionals.
Some easier methods of cooling your home include having suitable blinds for windows that face east and west and during the hot days leave activities, such as putting the dishwasher on, until the evening when the temperature is a little cooler as these machines generate extra heat.
The best way to keep your house cool during the day is to leave all windows and doors shut until the sun sets. This will mean that unwanted heat remains outside and when it is cooler in the evening you can reduce the temperature in your home further by opening the windows and doors then.
If you want to use a window fan, ensure that it is facing outwards and at the downwind side of the property. In order for the best effect, a window in each room needs to be open as well as all interior doors to allow for better air circulation.
If you are an avid gardener you could even consider planting trees to add some extra shade to your property but this is something to seriously think about though as they will block sunlight during the autumn and winter months when you are likely to want some warmth.
When you are using your air conditioning it is advised that you don’t use a dehumidifier at the same time. This is because the dehumidifier will increase the amount of cooling that is needed and will mean that your air conditioner will have to work harder, therefore costing you more money.
Photo by Georgebog/ Wikimedia Commons