Summertime sunshine quickly becomes unpleasant when your home feels like the inside of an oven! The fact is most older-style homes in New Zealand weren’t built with ventilation or cooling in mind. Which means they can feel stifling hot during the summer months. To help you stay cool without relying on an aircon, try some of these cooling tips inside your home this summer.
1. Close curtains and blinds
Windows let in most of the heat in the hot summer months, making rooms – especially those that are north facing – unbearable at times. An easy way to keep the heat out of rooms is to close curtains and blinds from the early afternoon through to the evening. Better yet, invest in block-out blinds or curtains to further shield your home from the harsh summer sun.
2. Open the windows and doors
Take advantage of any breezes outside by opening doors and windows in different parts of your home. Opening windows and doors lets fresh air circulate inside and the warmer, stuffy air flow out. Also keep internal doors open to allow the cooler air to flow through your home, and open windows if you do close the curtains or blinds during the day to ensure the heat isn’t trapped inside the rooms.
3. Stop the heat coming inside
Invest in window shades or external coverings – like awnings or large potted plants – which can help shade your home from the harsh summer sun, effectively stopping the heat from coming inside.
4. Invest in insulation
If your home is older, your insulation may not be up to scratch – or your home could be missing insulation altogether. Insulation works at keeping us warm in winter and cool in summer so it’s a worthwhile investment. A well-insulated home will stay cool, as the insulation acts as a thermal barrier.
5. Switch to cotton
Opt for cotton bed linen and remove warm winter blankets and flannel sheets from beds. Change out your heavy winter duvet for something lighter and cooler. And choose a pillow that allows a good airflow, so you don’t overheat at night.
6. Cook outside
Warmer evenings make it an ideal time to fire up the BBQ. Move your cooking outdoors to keep the heat out of the kitchen. If you do cook inside, avoid using the oven and keep doors and windows open for ventilation.
7. Dehumidify your home
The added moisture in the air during the hot, humid days can really push up the temperatures. Along with ventilating your home by opening windows and doors, try using a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture inside your home. The air is much easier to cool if it’s not humid so you’ll feel more comfortable too.
8. Change your lightbulbs
Incandescent lightbulbs produce a lot of heat, so if you haven’t already done so, try switching out all of these older-style lightbulbs for newer, energy-saving bulbs instead. Not only will you save on energy costs, but they’ll help keep your home cooler too.
Renovating or buying
Summer is a great time to think about buying a new home or renovating your existing home so that it’s cooler in the hot months and warmer and drier during winter. If you’re in the market for a new home – or you’re considering a renovation – get in touch with our team of mortgage advisers to talk about your finance needs. With access to a panel of lenders and experience in connecting our clients with the right lender, we’ll help you make an informed choice about your finances.
Disclaimer:
While all care has been taken in the preparation of this publication, no warranty is given as to the accuracy of the information and no responsibility is taken by Mortgage Express Limited for any errors or omissions. This publication does not constitute personalised financial advice. It may not be relevant to individual circumstances. Nothing in this publication is, or should be taken as, an offer, invitation, or recommendation to buy, sell, or retain any investment in or make any deposit with any person. You should seek professional advice before taking any action in relation to the matters dealt within this publication.
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