It is being a peculiar year. Apart from wars and pandemics, climatologically 2022 does not stop surprising us. The initial drought has been followed by torrential rains, a sandstorm that turned the country brown… and now comes a heat wave that is ahead of the summer and that will make a good part of Spain touch 40º.
If you are already thinking about how to deal with this early heat wave, but either you don’t have, or you don’t want to put on the air conditioning `so as not to shoot up the electricity bill or because the excessive cold bothers you, there is little habits (apart from installing a swimming pool) that we can incorporate into our day to day life to lower the temperature of the house several degrees. And these are some of the tricks that several readers who do not have air conditioning at home have given us to survive this first hour of heat.
The first thing: ventilate the house first thing in the morning
To keep the house cool throughout the day, our readers without air conditioning recommend ventilate bedrooms, the living room or the kitchen first thing in the morning. Let there be a little draft, and renew the air inside your home. As soon as you notice that the morning freshness begins to fade, close the windows tightly, and leave them that way until the temperature drops again around sunset.
close the blinds
Or light, or heat. You decide… But when outside temperatures soar, we think the choice is clear. So from 12:00 or 1:00 p.m., it is time to lower the blinds to prevent the entry of light, and the sun’s rays. If you can’t go without light, the worst time to have the blinds up is from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Throw the awning yes or yes
If you have an awning, and even if you lower the blinds, it is advisable to lower it as soon as the sun begins to hit your house. Awnings can reduce the temperature of a room between 5 and 10º. In case you do not have an awning to protect the facades and windows with more hours of sunlight, it may be time to think about installing one, taking into account the forecasts of an extreme summer with high temperatures.
- Articulated awning with frame 250 x 120 cm. Price: 93.50 euros.
Strattore Articulated Awning with Frame 250 x 120 cm – undrilled – Yellow/White Roll Up Terrace Balcony Retractable Sunscreen Awning
- Manual retractable aluminum awning: Price: 92.99 euros.
Outsunny Window Awning Manual Retractable Aluminum Outdoor Awning Balcony Awning Adjustable Angle Waterproof Polyester Fabric 180x70cm Green
Outsunny Awning with Folding Arm 3x2m Manual Awning with Retractable Crank Adjustable Angle Aluminum Sun Protection for Door Windows Balcony Beige
Avoid putting on appliances that give off heat during the day
To keep the house cool, it is important not to generate heat with our activity. It is especially important not to start appliances such as the oven, the washing machine or the dishwasher. In addition, it is important to cook first thing in the morning, or eat cold dishes such as salads or gazpacho so as not to light up the kitchen. By turning on the appliances at night, you will be able to avoid putting more heat in the house, in addition to lowering the electricity bill.
The light bulbs, always led
If you still have a non-LED light bulb at home, this is the time to make the change. In addition to saving money, LED bulbs emit much less heat while on.
The led bulbs not only allow you save electricity, but they also give off much less heat when turned on than incandescents or halogens. Anyway, you better try minimize the use of artificial lighting in your hometo prevent it from becoming a source of added heat.
Install ceiling fans
Those who have a ceiling fan in their home speak wonders of these devices that help the air move through the room, reducing the thermal sensation by a few degrees.
- White DC motor ceiling fan with natural wood blades. Price: 145.95 euros.
CREATE / WINDCALM DC / White DC motor ceiling fan with natural wood blades / Silent, timer
Philips Lighting Bliss – Ceiling fan with LED light and control, 80W, warm to cold white light (3000-5500K), diameter 510mm, white and gold color
- White XL ceiling fan / AC motor, silent, timer. Price: before,
€184.95now, 134.95 euros.
CREATE / UPWIND SAIL / Ceiling Fan XL White / AC motor, silent, timer, Ø163 cm, 90W
Impregnate the curtains with water or air freshener
To feel some freshness, you can spray the curtains with water (using a spray, or an air freshener that you like). When the air passes between them, or when they move through the fan, you will feel a pleasant coolness.
Bet on fresh fabrics
The fabrics that are at home greatly influence to feel more heat at home. At this time of year it is important to avoid fabrics such as velvet, or leather sofas. If you have a leather sofa, get some covers yes or yes. Also save the rugs, as they increase our sensation of heat. Also, in curtains, cushions, bedding, it is important to use light colors to add a touch of freshness to the environment. As for materials, cotton and linen are ideal for this time of year. For windows, light fabric curtains in white or in a light tone are ideal.
fill the house with plants
Plants (especially those with large leaves) make the environment cooler, since when they perspire, the water vapor they release helps reduce the temperature of the room. When it comes to watering them, you should do it at dusk: the humidity of the earth will help to cool your house. And if you water the plants in your garden, patio or terrace at dusk, you will see how it also helps to lower the temperature inside. Also, if you have the exterior walls covered with plantsyou will also be able to lower the interior temperature.
- Set of 8 Natural Indoor Plants. Price: 64.95 euros.
Jungle Pack DECOALIVE Set of 8 Natural Indoor Plants All Different
Monstera Deliciosa Premium Natural Indoor Plant of Maximum Quality
Mop the floor in the morning
To get a pleasant feeling of freshness at home, you can mop the floor of the whole house with cold water in the morning. With this simple method you will make your home cooler.
rearrange the furniture
It is important to locate the areas with the lowest temperature (perhaps because they face north, or because they face an interior patio), and take advantage of them. If the sun shines in the living room all day, install your telecommuting corner in the coolest rooms, or a seating area so you can watch your favorite series or read.
Install sun protection sheets
Solar protection films are placed on the inside of the window glass. They allow light to pass through, but filter ultraviolet radiation, and slow down the entry of heat, by reflecting it back to the outside.
EYLM Sun Protection Film, Reflective Window Film, Opaque Privacy Film, Self-adhesive UV Protection Film for Indoor or Outdoor Window (40*200 cm)
rabbitgoo Mirror Window Film 44.5x200cm, One-Way Mirror Vinyl, Privacy Sunscreen Film, 85% Heat and 99% UV Adhesive Window Decorative Film for Home Office
In Decosphere | Best portable air conditioner 2022: which one to buy, tips and recommendations to beat the heat
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