The heat of the summer brings lots of fun – trips to the beach, days out with friends and family, and lunch or dinner on the verandah. However keeping cool when you get indoors can be a problem. Hot weather can lead to your home becoming too hot, with uncomfortable days and nights resulting in expensive energy bills needing to cool things down.

Why Do Homes Heat Up?

When the sun’s rays beat down on your home, indoor temperatures rise. Homes that have been designed to help control temperatures will allow unnecessary hot air to pass back outdoors or to be used as energy. Many people may take to using an air conditioning system – however these consume a lot of electricity and can lead to high energy bills.

So, How Can You Cool Your Home Naturally?

Luckily, there are lots of ways that you can keep your home cool naturally – without spending money installing systems and equipment or on expensive energy bills. You also won’t be contributing to the depletion of the ozone layer and global warming so you can be proud of your minimal carbon footprint.

Why not follow some of these steps to creating a naturally cool house instantly?

1. Insulate your home

Good insulation is what will keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter. Check what type of insulation you currently have. Insulation doesn’t have to include huge installation costs – there are now many DIY insulation rolls which are simple and quick to install.

2. Turn off Lights

This is a small change that makes you realise every little thing counts in the fight against a hot home. Lights give off a small amount of excess heat so if everyone in your family turns off every light they’re not using, you could notice a big difference.

3. Close the blinds

As soon as the sun rises, your home will start to heat up. Make sure you monitor your home throughout the day, or anticipate it if you’re out at work. If you have North or West facing blinds, make sure you close them in the morning. Don’t worry about natural light, you’ll be able to open these again when the sun moves position.

4. Indoor and Outdoor Blinds

Blinds will be one of your main tools in controlling heat in your home:

• Indoor Blinds: these will help to form a seal around windows and doors which ensure cool air stays in and warm air is kept out. You can enforce blinds with weather strips to further seal gaps around frames. Indoor blinds will also help to stop furnishings in your home from sun damage, blocking UV rays.
• Outdoor Blinds: these can help to keep sunlight and heat from entering the home. They come in a variety of forms – from awning blinds to retractable and roll up blinds. Outdoor blinds will also protect from harmful UV rays.

5. Cook Al Fresco

Try to avoid cooking inside on the hottest days. Having your oven on for any length of time will raise the temperature of your home, and won’t be enjoyable for whoever gets left to cook. Why not take advantage of the good weather and have friends over for an outdoor BBQ? If you don’t own one, you can usually use barbies on offer at your local park.