7 tips to keep your home cool in the summer

If the scorching sun turns your house into an inferno, close your windows, hang blacked out window dressings and coverings in the morning to keep your house cool in the summer, says an expert. Here are a few do-it-yourself tips on how to keep it breezy and fresh in your home as the temperature soars outside, reported IANS.

1. Light fabrics

Try to replace your mixed material bed sheets and curtains with soothing fabrics, such as pure cotton, muslin and linen. According to Forbes, cotton traps heat and lets cool air pass through in the summer. Cotton is a great choice for almost every season. Linen sheets also work well in hot weather conditions as they wick away body heat. But you’ve got to be prepared for a lot of ironing, unless you like the wrinkled look. Also, don’t forget to wash and change your bed sheets on a regular basis, as they come in direct contact with our skin and microbial factors may lead to skin allergies and other diseases.

2. Light colours

There’s nothing more calming than a crisp, white bed sheet in the summer. Choose pastel shades for soft furnishing for a cool ambience as light colours reflect heat. Pastels add an ethereal and serene quality to the house that we all long for in the sweltering heat these days, reported homecentrestores.com. You can also try to pair pastels with walnut or dark wood furniture if you don’t want your room to look too feminine. Smaller rooms also benefit from pastels and light colours as they make them look spacious, making room for the air to pass.

3. Dark window blinds

Use blackout window dressings to keep out the strong rays. You can also hang tightly-woven screens or bamboo shades outside the window to keep your house cool. According to elegantndecor.com, bamboo chick blind works as a heat insulator, preventing the sunlight and heat from directly entering your living space. This keeps your room cool throughout the day. You can also safeguard your furniture against damage caused by sunlight. They can be rolled up so you can position them according to your convenience. They’re easily washable and low-maintenance.

4. Ventilation

Try to keep your windows and coverings closed in the morning and open them in the evening to flush your house with cooler air. Also, keep the doors open for cross ventilation. According to freshome.com, you should try to avoid heat-generating activities, such as cooking on hot days or during the hottest part of the day. If you are cooking, use your range fan to vent hot air out of the house. By reducing the amount of heat in your home, you’ll limit the consumption of energy to cool it.

5. Switch off electronics

Keep your lights and electronic items switched off when not in use, as they emit radiation that generates heat. You can also use energy-saving bulbs to minimize the hot air. Avoid placing lamps, the TV and other heat-generating appliances next to your air-conditioning thermostat because the heat from these would cause the air conditioner to run longer, reported freshome.com. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents.

6. Roll up extra rugs

Area rugs should be rolled and stacked away to give a tidy and uncluttered feel. Apart from area rugs, woolen and oriental carpets should also be replaced with light-coloured sisal area rugs. Try to leave your floors bare as this would make them a lot easier to maintain. Note that concrete floor absorbs more heat than a floor covered by carpeting.

7. Place indoor plants

Include indoor plants to your living space to create a natural atmosphere. Plants improve air quality as well. According to gizmodo.in, they absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen. Many potted plants are known to remove harmful toxins from the air and bring down ambient temperatures, while adding to the decor of the house. Plants tend to control humidity to an optimum range for human health. They also up an individual’s positivity quotient and reduce levels of worry, stress and depression.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 21^st, 2015.

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