DURING THE DAY, LOWER THE BLINDS AND CLOSE THE DOORS
If during the winter, the blinds serve so that the cold does not sneak so much at home, in summer, they do the same function with the heat. Approximately 30% of the heat seeps through the windows. So, now that it’s hot, lower them. Do it, especially, between 12 and 16 hours, when the sun warms the most, especially in the windows facing south and west. If what you have are shutters, do the same.
Believe it or not, having the doors of the rooms closed will also help make your house cooler, preventing heat currents from spreading throughout the house, especially if more heat enters from one side than from the other. Closed doors will act as a heat barrier.
If you have awning on the windows, it is best that, during the hottest hours, you have it completely removed.
2. AND DRAW THE CURTAINS
Although they are not thermal, curtains also perform an insulating function that can help heat get a little less into the house. The same if you have blinds or Venetians.
3. VENTILATE FIRST THING IN THE DAY
It is when temperatures are lower. So open the windows of the whole house for at least 15 minutes to renew the air inside.
4. AT NIGHT, OPEN WINDOWS, BLINDS AND DOORS
Let the breeze circulate throughout your house during the night. Although the temperatures are still somewhat high, they will be less so than during the day and, in addition to helping you rest better, the air throughout the house will be renewed.
Also, even if you lose some privacy in the bedroom, we recommend that you keep all the doors of the house open. This way the air will circulate more freely.
5. REFRESH YOUR HOME WITH SUMMER TEXTILES
If the upholstery of your sofa is very hot, sitting on it will be torture. You can place a thinner quilt, cotton or linen, which are fabrics that breathe much better and capable of regulating the temperature. If you do not have, you can use a sheet of one of these materials. The ones you have to avoid are those of polyester or any other synthetic fiber.
And do the same with bedding. While cotton sheets are torture to iron, the truth is that they are the best option for summer. And, if your mattress has both winter and summer sides, make sure you have it on the right side.
6. PLANTS HELP. AND A LOT
Whether you have a hand for plants or not, you should know that they help a lot to cool the environment of your house, helping to lower the temperature of the interior up to 5 degrees. There are indoor plant that are very easy to care for and that will help you to lower the interior temperature a little. Those with large green leaves, such as the monstera or Adam’s rib, the areca are some of the best.
And when to water them? Ideally, do it late in the day or very early in the morning, before the sun gets too hot. Thus, the evaporation of water will serve to cool the environment and provide moisture.
7. HIT THE FAN
Although fans do not offer fresh air, rather they remove it, they do help reduce the temperature inside. A trick to make the air colder is to place a container with ice in front of the fan. Place a towel underneath to absorb condensation. You can also use a plastic bottle with frozen water and have another in the freezer to change them together. It’s not like air conditioning, but something will help.
8. AVOID PUTTING APPLIANCES
The oven, dishwasher and washing machine are appliances that give off a lot of heat when used. That is why it is better that you avoid them during these days and, better, put them at night.
9. WEAR COMFORTABLE, LOOSE-FITTING CLOTHING
The best thing to be at home during the heat wave is loose clothing that is cool. As with bedding, better if it is linen or cotton. Avoid synthetics as much as possible.
10. SHOWERS, TEMPERATE
Because if you shower with cold water your body temperature will drop a lot and the subsequent sensation will be very hot because the body is reactivated and energy expenditure.
11. GO BAREFOOT AND SLEEP WITHOUT COVERING YOUR FEET
Did you know that feet are very sensitive to temperature? Therefore, the ideal is that you walk barefoot at home. Take off your shoes and socks when you enter the house. In addition to more comfortable, you will not have as much heat.
Also, when you go to bed, if you are one of those people who needs to throw the sheet over it, take your feet out. They will help you regulate your body temperature.
