The stifling heat of summer often leads us to prefer the comfort of our home to enduring the temperatures outside. However, even inside our own homes, we can still feel unsettled. At first glance, air conditioning seems to be the ideal solution to deal with extreme heat. However, excessive use can lead to health problems such as headaches, throat infections, pneumonia or muscle cramps.
In this article we are going to tell you How to prevent your house from getting too hot and we are going to give you some tips to keep it cool without the need for air conditioning.
Optimum temperature
A difference of up to 15 ºC between the temperature outside and inside the house can cause colds or throat infections. The World Health Organization (WHO) It is recommended to keep the indoor temperature below 32°C during the day and 24°C at night. “This is especially important for infants, people over 60 years of age and people with chronic illnesses,” the organization recommends.
Achieving this temperature without relying on air conditioning is easy. Just follow these tips.
Lower the blinds
This step is important, especially during the peak heat of the day. It is essential to close the windows and lower the blinds to maintain a semi-dark environment in the house, as this helps prevent hot air from seeping in from outside, especially in windows that face the sun all day, as noted by the WHO. This method can result in a temperature reduction of up to 6º C.
Make sure to use awnings by extending them to help shade the interior. Also, consider hanging thermal insulating curtains to block heat transfer.
Use the fan in the absence of air
Fans are effective in these situations. Both portable and ceiling fans excel at providing relief from the heat. In addition to being more economical than air conditioners, they also consume significantly less electricity, a fact that is reflected in your electricity bill.
In addition, since fans do not produce cold air currents, They do not cause throat or eye irritation. However, the Ministry of Health warns that fans “must be placed at a specific distance, avoiding direct airflow on the body. This is especially important for people who need to stay in bed.”
Doors, half open or closed?
The schedule plays a crucial role in this matter. For example, it is recommended to keep rooms that are rarely used during the day closed, allowing fresh air to concentrate in the areas that are used more frequently.
At night, when temperatures drop, It is recommended to keep all doors open to allow the house to cool.
Control your body temperature
Maintaining a comfortable temperature in our home is important, but regulating our own body temperature is even more important. Therefore, it is vital to stay well hydrated, dress appropriately or refresh our wrists and neck. In these specific areas is where the pulse is most prominent and where our body temperature tends to decrease.
The Ministry of Health advises against drinking beverages containing alcohol, caffeine and sugar, while suggesting that we opt for lighter meals and eat more frequently. It also encourages us to stay in the coolest part of our home whenever possible. According to the Ministry, “if you cannot keep your home cool, spend two or three hours a day in a cool, air-conditioned place.” In addition, the WHO recommends taking cold showers or using cold compresses and wraps.
Use heat extractors
Although they are primarily designed to remove steam from bathrooms and smoke from kitchens, as well as absorb unpleasant odors in these areas, Its functionality also helps to reduce the heat produced when cooking or showering.
Choose LED bulbs
Did you know that incandescent light bulbs consume 90% of their energy in the form of heat? If you haven't made up your mind yet, now is an excellent opportunity to switch to LED lighting. With its energy efficiency and the resulting savings on your electricity bill, along with many other benefits, There is really no reason to refrain from making this change.In addition, LEDs are much safer as they operate on low voltage direct current, which greatly reduces the risk of household accidents.
Open the windows and doors at dawn and dusk
These are the coolest hours of the day. This is the perfect opportunity to allow fresh outside air to enter and circulate throughout the house.
Don't forget to change the sheets
Just like us, the house needs a seasonal wardrobe refresh in the summer. It's time to put away the wool and fur blankets along with the flannel sheets until winter comes and, instead, introduce lightweight cotton alternatives.
In addition, it is recommended to choose light-coloured options instead of dark tones and to eliminate carpets, as dark colours absorb more light energy and, consequently, retain more heat. The WHO also advises against the use of cushions due to their tendency to trap heat.
Using electrical appliances during night hours
If possible, try to run appliances such as the washing machine or dishwasher during the coolest hours of the day. These machines consume a lot of energy, which they emit in the form of heat. For example, a dishwasher can raise the temperature by up to 2ºC. It is also advisable to keep the doors to rooms closed while these appliances are in use.
Have plants on hand and provide them with water
This is a natural and aesthetically pleasing method of protecting us from high temperatures. By absorbing heat, plants help reduce ambient temperatures. Some excellent options are aloe vera, ferns or rubber trees. You may also want to consider growing climbing plants or bougainvillea outside your home, as they provide an effective sun barrier.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about how to prevent your house from getting too hot and keep it cool in the summer.