Summer is here, and one thing we can all agree on, is that it's been a hot one so far. If you’re like me, you unfortunately don’t have the luxury of air conditioning and, even with every single fan on at full speed, it still feels like you’re melting on a +35 degree-day.
Thankfully, there are ways to cool down your home naturally and inexpensively.
1) Insulation. Not only is insulation necessary in the winter, it will also help cool your home in the summer. If you have to choose one place to insulate, choose your attic floor. Hot air rises and gets trapped in the attic, causing the heat to leach into your home. Insulating your attic will help with this.
You can also try insulated window films for other rooms in your home.
2) The next step you can take is weather stripping your doors and windows. Again, this is thought to only be necessary during winter, but weather stripping will help trap cool air in your home as well.
3) What colour is your house? This will have a large impact on how much light and heat are absorbed into your home. While this definitely isn't an easy fix if you have a dark coloured home, it may provide some insight as to where the most heat is being absorbed.
4) Turn on bathroom fans. This will help suck hot air up and out of your home.
5) Use reflective barriers and shading products. This can be as simple as some tinfoil taped to your windows, with the blinds closed. This method will refract the light and heat away from your home.
6) Did you know that plants and trees divert some of the heat away from your home? Plant trees that will do well in your area on the west and south sides of your home for the most protection. Follow up with your local nursery or garden centre for recommendations.
7) Rotate ceiling fans counter clockwise. The way your fan spins will have an impact on how it moves air throughout your home. Set all your ceiling fans to counter clockwise in the summer and run at high speed. It’s also recommended to set your ceiling fans back to clockwise during the winter months. The clockwise motion at lower speeds helps circulate the heat around your home.
8) Close the blinds. This one is a no brainer. So much heat gets absorbed through your windows. Make sure your blinds are closed during the hottest parts of the day.
9) Enhance your fan. Sometimes, it’s so hot that fan alone just doesn’t cut it. Try putting a bowl of ice in front of the fan, and feel the difference in temperature. Much better than just moving hot air around.
10) Avoid using the stove and washer/dryer until the cooler evening hours to avoid unnecessary heat accumulation during the hottest parts of the day.