With the growing consumption of energy and the increasing threat to Mother Earth, more and more people are opting for energy-efficient homes. This not only reduces the stress from the environment and helps in decreasing global warming, but also brings your utility bill down considerably. Also, some people are against the idea of staying indoors under the effects of air conditioning and heaters all the time, which they believe affects their health.
But keeping a home cool especially when the weather in that area is scorching is something of a task. And you can’t even stay outside the whole time just because it’s hot in your home, and you don’t want to utilise your electrical sources to cool it down. There has to be a middle-path solution for it, which can keep your house cooler and your lifestyle normal!
Some ignored treasured ways which can keep your home cooler than you anticipated!
It is not necessary that if you want to keep your house cooler you’ll have to invest in a complex plan of an eco friendly home design. (Which is also a good option to make your home better, no doubt!) But there are still some ignored (or let’s say overlooked!) yet simpler ways which can help you save your bills and enjoy a less harsh weather even at home. Read about those oft-forgotten ways below:
- Use awnings —If you believe the research, studies have shown that you can reduce the impact of direct sunlight in your home by almost around 65-75% by just putting awnings on your windows. Not only the heat, these are the best protection against other foreign materials entering the house, against weather affects, etc. And if you install aluminium awnings in Brisbane from Dunmoe Cladding services, these provide protection against even heavy snow falls and can reduce the heat better than any other awnings used for the same purpose.
- Plant maximum trees — Remember the days when there were no awnings? What used to provide shade to the travellers on the road and residents at home? It was the trees! Why not bring that tradition of natural, fresh and healthy shades once again! Not only those, we all know how planting greens around your house can cool the air inside. Plus the aesthetic beauty of your house, a better curb appeal and less energy consumption are added benefits.
- Decorate the house with creepers and climbers — A home hidden under the cover of greens is the most beautifully veiled home! You can have your entire exterior wall clustered with meandering climbers and creepers and make your walls cooler. Climbers can actually reduce the temperature of the entire building by around fifty percent. Again, the beauty of it can be astounding for your home.
- Better tuning of your windows — If you think your windows are just a hole in your walls made for decorative purposes, then it’s time you corrected your knowledge. Actually it’s an essential part of your home’s ventilation and that is why should be tuned properly. Always consider the proper direction and angle from where your house gets the maximum fresh air and make your windows there when designing your home. Or, try avoiding the windows directly on the perpendicular direction of the sun to avoid getting any direct sunlight in the house (which can even damage the look of your furniture and paint).
- Paint your roof — A house roof that has white or light colour painted on it can reflect the direct sunlight. This again reduces the amount of harsh heat in your home interiors.
- Install openable shutters and external blinds — Remember the Victorian houses, the windows were always with double shutters and external blinds. There was always a purpose behind the same. It blocked the harsh heat and extreme weather, and can also keep the privacy of the home intact. Especially shutters are the most convenient and effective energy savers. They provide shade, security, ventilation, storm protection, etc.
- Use summer kitchens — If you go back to basics, you’ll understand that there was a reason why our ancestors built summer kitchens in their lawns. Cooking inside the house during hot days can increase the temperature in the interiors considerably, and you’ll have to search for good ventilation facilities or turn on your air conditioner to fight it. While if your summer kitchen is over the lawn or on the deck, it prevents the interior being too hot and even the outdoor cooking can be good for a rejuvenating change!
These are some long forgotten or highly underestimated ways, but can provide better cool and fresh ambience in the interiors saving your energy and that too without much expenditure!
