Summer weather can be a little unpredictable in Ireland, to say the least. From flood warnings one day to heatwaves the next, we’ve learned to expect the unexpected, so we need to make the most of the good weather when it finally arrives. Knowing how to keep your house cool in summer is a great start.
Most of our homes are not exactly equipped for extreme heat and it can be challenging to keep your house cool without air conditioning, so we’ve put together a few tips to help you keep your house cool in a heatwave.
Our Top Tips for keeping your house cool in extreme heat:
1. Close windows and blinds to keep heat out during the day
While it might be tempting to throw open all the windows on a hot day, this can actually do more harm than good, as you’ll just end up letting the hot air in.
Keeping your windows shut and curtains and blinds closed during the hottest parts of the day can really help to keep your house cool. Check which of your windows get the sun when it’s hottest and make sure to keep these closed during the day.
2. Open windows and doors to allow cool air in when the temperature drops
Later in the evening, when it’s cooler, open up your windows and doors and let the cool air in. Opening windows at opposite sides of the house can improve air flow, allowing hot air to escape and letting cool air in.
3. Open your attic
Hot air rises so the top floor is usually the warmest part of the house. Opening your attic hatch will give that hot air a route to escape, which should reduce the temperature downstairs.
4. Avoid generating any additional heat from appliances
Try not to use appliances that generate heat, like ovens, cookers or washing machines or dryers, during the hottest part of the day. There’s a reason we all turn to salads for dinner on hot days! Better still, fire up the BBQ and do your cooking outside.
How to keep a room cool:
Keep individual doors to rooms closed during the day to keep the hot air from circulating. Fans are a great way to cool down a room without air conditioning, as long as they’re used correctly.
5. Use fans effectively
Fans can really help to cool down your house and there are a number of things you can do to maximise their effectiveness.
How to cool down a room with fans:
Correct positioning is key
Placing your fan by a window works best. If you’re lucky enough to have more than one fan, place one by a window at the hottest side of the house, facing outwards, to get the hot air out and position the other at the coolest side of the house, facing inwards, to draw the cooler air in. You could also try putting one upstairs and one downstairs to allow air to circulate throughout the house.
Try the ice fan hack
Another handy trick is to put some ice cubes into a large bowl and place it in front of the fan at the same level as the airflow. As the ice melts it will absorb heat from the air and cool the room down.
6. Use a dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers are usually associated with preventing mould in the winter, but they can be a great help in the summer months too.
Warmer air holds a lot more moisture, which is what makes it feel so heavy and muggy during a heatwave.
Do dehumidifiers keep your house cool?
Dehumidifiers work by removing excess moisture from the air. While they don’t actually reduce the temperature, they lower the humidity levels, making the air temperature feel cooler, which will make your home feel less stuffy and more comfortable.
Keep your home cool, calm and protected all year round
We hope that these tips will help you keep your house cool this summer, so you can focus on having fun. AXA Home Insurance comes with 24-hour emergency assistance as standard so you can relax and chill in the knowledge that you’re covered, whatever the weather. Find out more and get a quote here.
