AN energy expert has shared five tricks to keep your home cool this summer.
Energy conservation advice helps keep temperatures low without increasing your energy bills.
Amy Barker, head of marketing at 100Greenshared money-saving tricks.
A useful technique, although it may seem obvious to some, is to block out the sun.
“Many of us are guilty of letting the sun shine through the window – especially after it seems like it’s been gone for so long,” said Barker.
“One of the easiest ways to keep your home cool during warmer weather is to keep your blinds or curtains closed, especially if your window is on a south or west-facing wall.
“They will act as a barricade and help keep the temperature down, but if you want to open them to let in some light, try to avoid doing this during the hottest parts of the day, perhaps only opening them at night to enjoy the last bit of Sun.”
Barker explained that while you don’t have to hide in the dark forever, there are ideal times during the day to open your window.
“A good rule of thumb is to only open your windows in the morning or evening and overnight,” she said.
“This usually means avoiding opening them between 11am and 3pm (the hottest time of the day).”
“Another good tip is to open windows at opposite ends of your home to create a draft. Moving air is cooler than still air, so you’ll create a bit of a breeze and allow the air to circulate better.
“You can even take it a step further by hanging a damp sheet in front of the open window, which will cool the air as it enters your home.”
On hot days, it’s generally a good idea to avoid using hot appliances.
“Kitchen appliances like ovens or dryers will cause your kitchen to heat up — and quickly,” Barker said.
“So instead of using a dryer, line dry your clothes – the old fashioned way.
“Similarly, TVs, set-top boxes, DVDs, mobile phone chargers, games consoles, stereos and PCs use small amounts of electricity when they are plugged in but not turned on, but they can generate a lot of heat.
One of the easiest ways to keep your home cool during warmer weather is to keep your blinds or curtains closed, especially if your window is on a south or west-facing wall.
Amy Barker
“Although the power consumed in standby mode is small, the overall power consumption increases.”
The simple trick can save homeowners hundreds of dollars a year.
Barker explained that even the right home decor, like bedding and plants, can help.
“Synthetic bedding should be avoided and opt for cotton or linen,” she said.
“Cotton and linen are known for being breathable materials, so warm air won’t be as likely to get trapped under the duvet and you’ll be less likely to get that ‘sticky’ feeling that occurs with synthetic materials.
“When our homes get too hot, plants go through a process called transpiration, which helps them cool down.
“This also means that when our homes get too hot, plants will let this excess moisture evaporate through their leaves, and in doing so, heat will be removed from the air, which also helps cool our homes.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
