It’s funny, isn’t it? We spend all winter wishing for summer, and when the hot weather finally hits, we complain about it because it means we’re uncomfortable at home, and it’s especially miserable when it means we can’t sleep or when it makes working difficult. Then there’s the kids; if they’re hot and cranky, it’s going to have an effect on everyone else too. You need to keep your house cool when it’s hot.
That’s why it’s such a good idea to think about how to keep your home cool in hot weather before you need to do it. When you’ve got some plans in mind to put in place as soon as the temperatures start to rise, you should be able to keep your home comfortable no matter what (or nearly, anyway). With that in mind, keep reading to find out what you can do so you can be completely prepared.
Curtains
Curtains aren’t just there for decoration – although they should look good nonetheless. The fact is that curtains can make a huge difference to how comfortable your home is, especially when it comes to the hot weather. For one thing, you can keep them closed during the day (it might take some getting used to, but it’s worth it), or at least during the hottest times. If you do this, it will block out the sun’s rays and stop your home from heating up too much. Invest in made to measure curtains and the sun won’t even be able to sneak around the edges, keeping your home a lot more comfortable as a result.
You should also choose light coloured curtains because the lighter colours reflect the sunlight back, whereas darker colours absorb it, which means your home gets hotter. Don’t worry, you can switch to darker coloured curtains when winter comes round again if you prefer, but if you want a cooler home, the lighter the better is the key.
Turn Off Electrics
We’re so used to having our electronic devices plugged in and switched on so we can use them at a moment’s notice that the idea of turning everything off – all the way off – might seem impossible, but when you consider that electronics generate heat even when they’re not in use, and that heat is going into your home, you’ll realise it’s a wise idea to switch everything off when you’re not using it.
The best thing to do is actually unplug devices when they’re not in use, and that could include chargers, TVs, kitchen appliances, and so on. Plus, try to limit your use of the appliances and devices that automatically generate a lot of heat, like ovens and dishwashers – use them less, and your home will be cooler (plus it’s better for your electricity bill and a good way to reduce your carbon footprint).
Freeze Your Pillows
This last idea is one you might not have come across before, but it’s something that can lead to a good night’s sleep even when it’s boiling hot, so you might want to try it – freeze your pillows.
You’ll need to get a waterproof pillow case otherwise the interior of your pillow is going to get wet and that could lead to mould, not to mention bringing moisture and damp into your bedroom, which you’ll want to avoid. Once your pillow’s all waterproof, pop it in the freezer for a couple of hours before bed (if you haven’t got room in the freezer, you could get a cool box and use that instead). You’ll find you can sleep more easily and feel more refreshed, and if that’s not worth freezing pillows for, we don’t know what is.
