Ideas for Keeping Your Home Cool

Here in the UK, we have recently seen record-breaking temperatures. While we all love some sunshine in the summer months, there is no doubt that modern homes here have not been designed to cope with extreme heat.

Of course, air conditioning is a permanent solution to keeping you cool, but with rising energy prices, it can be expensive to install and run. Since climate change is the cause of this extreme heat, it also helps if we can find more natural solutions.

If you find it too hot to bear inside, this guide will give you some innovative and cost-effective ideas to keep your home cool.

Use Outdoor and Indoor Plants

Not only are plants beautiful to look at, but they also act as a natural coolant.

Try growing plants and shrubs below or around your window outside to block direct sunlight. As water evaporates from the leaves of the plants, the air around them will cool down.

You can also place indoor plants in rooms to help keep cool. Try grouping leafy plants together to create a cool corner.

Insulate Your Windows

Modern double glazing is energy efficient and has excellent UV protection to prevent sunburn, but glass naturally heats up, leading to a hotter room.

There are some easy DIY ways to insulate your windows during a heatwave.

Bubble Wrap – In effect, bubble wrap provides another layer of insulation like double glazing. The trapped air in the bubbles has brilliant insulating properties.

Wrap it snugly around the glass in the window, and seal it to have the best effect. It will block your view and some natural light but will reduce the indoor temperature.

Insulating Window Film – You can buy insulating window film that works like bubble wrap. You can stick it inside the glass to cool down the room.

The clear film will not block light, so it can be left up to improve energy efficiency.

Cover up the outside – In extreme heat, it is possible to rig up a temporary solution by attaching a blanket or throw outside of your window. This will prevent the sun from reaching the glass and stop the room from overheating.

Awnings

Awnings fitted above windows can help block sunlight and keep the room in the shade. This can be a highly effective way of keeping some heat out in south-facing rooms.

There is a wide range of fabrics and styles to choose from that can be selected to complement your favoured style.

Blinds, Curtains and Shutters

Take a leaf out of Mediterranean homes to keep your home cool. If it is warmer outside than in, keep your windows closed so you do not let the heat enter. Next, use blinds, curtains or shutters to block the sun.

You can choose from many styles to improve your home’s temperature.

Blackout Blinds – These blinds will block all light from entering a room and are particularly useful in bedrooms. They will also keep out some heat by blocking the sun.

Thermal Blinds – Many blinds, such as pleated conservatory blinds, are designed with a honeycomb concertina style that reduces heat. Thermal roman blinds have an additional layer of insulating material that will keep more heat out of your room.

Shutters and Venetian Blinds – These have become very popular over the last few years and are a great way to block out light and heat with style.

Curtains – Keep curtains closed when the sun is shining on your windows to keep the sun’s rays out of your room. Choose blackout or thermal curtains for the best insulating properties.