The heat of summer means trips to the beach, great meat on the barbecue, and cold drinks with good friends.

However the heat can also cause your home to quickly become uncomfortable, stuffy and could even damage your interiors.

Getting smart with intelligent ways to keep your home cool not only means you and your family will stay comfortable and content, it could also see your energy bills drop and your usage become more efficient.

1. Get Shaded

You need to have shade on windows most exposed to the sun in order to stop sunlight coming in and instantly heating up rooms unnecessarily.

Figure out which rooms need to be kept cool at which times of day and plan accordingly.

2. Using Appliances

You’d be amazed at how much appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines can generate.

Try to ensure that you limit essential use of these to the evening or night time during particularly hot patches of weather.

3. Use Ceiling Fans

A breeze of approx. 2.5 ft per second can really help to cool a room down.

Opt for a paddle fan mounted to the ceiling and you’ll find it’s far cheaper than having air conditioning on and works especially well overnight.

4. Natural Shade

If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, why not plant shady trees around your home?

These can provide a great natural shade- however you need to be careful that you don’t block out too much light and that you benefit from passive solar heating still in winter.

5. Update your Air Con

Check your air conditioning system to ensure it’s running as efficiently as possible. There are all sorts of things you can do to update it  – either fully or partially – to help it work better.

Always check the EER rating is above 10.

6. Seal It In

There’s no point in spending money or time cooling down your home if you then allow heat to creep in through cracks or ducts.

Always make sure you seal air conditioning ducts and be particularly careful of vulnerable areas such as basements and attics.

7. Check The Moisture

Whereas South Australia is generally fairly dry, if you’re using an air conditioning unit in a humid climate you should check that your model will help eliminate moisture build up as well.

Generally you should always avoid using a stand alone dehumidifier at the same time as an air conditioner.

8. Cover the Windows

Try to install white or light coloured window shades to ensure that heat is not absorbed and added to the overall temperature.

Another great option is mini blinds, which can reduce heat gain by up to 50%.

9. Flowing Breeze

It’s crucial to get air circulating around your home so during the warmer months try to avoid shutting off rooms or leaving doors closed.

If you can get a cool breeze flowing through the house, either of fresh air or from fans or air conditioning, even better.

10. Get Low

If you’re really feeling the heat and you’ve done everything you can to keep your home cool, it’s helpful to remember that hot air rises.

Attic and loft spaces are going to be incredibly hot at these times and if you’ve got the option, you might want to consider spending more time downstairs or even sleeping there temporarily.