8 Natural Ways to Keep Your House Cool during the Summers

If you resort to cranking up the air conditioning to cope with the sweltering summer heat, you are alone. In fact, going by some reports, India’s cooling energy consumption is said to grow around 2.2 times by 2027, perhaps a desperate attempt to deal with rapidly warming temperatures around the globe. However, there are ways you can keep your home cool naturally. These 8 smart tips will help you preserve the environment, cut down electricity costs and create a budget-friendly summer paradise.

Tip 1: Allow ventilation

Keep the windows open strategically to allow cross ventilation. The best time to do this is from 5 am to 8 am and 8 pm to 10 pm. During these times, the air is pleasant and with proper ventilation, the heat trapped within your house can escape. The temperature drops drastically at night in the summer so keep the windows open to make the most of the cool breeze. Install insect nets on doors and windows to keep mosquitoes and bugs away.

Tip 2: Install blinds

Windows can absorb the heat from outside and make your interiors extremely hot. It is important to block out the sunrays by installing blinds to keep the unwanted heat away. Close your blinds from 11 am to 4 pm. Invest in breathable and light materials like jute screens or bamboo shades. Avoid dark colour and opt for white or pastel shades. If you are stepping out, remember to keep the curtains and blinds down to stop the room from heating up.

Tip 3: Use natural fabrics

If you have ever used a leather couch in the summer heat, chances are you must have experienced how hot and sticky the material can feel against your skin. Silk, satin, leather and polyesters tend to absorb heat easily. When it comes to textiles and bedding, opt for linen and cotton upholstery. Light, airy, and breathable fabrics promote ventilation and airflow. They can also instantly brighten up a dull looking room.

Tip 4: Incorporate cool colours

The dry summer weather conditions make it a good time to paint your walls. Give your home a seasonal upgrade that will look fresh throughout the year. Light colours like pastel yellow, aqua, millennial pink, beige and white work well. The task of painting your house will also give you an opportunity to evaluate your walls and prepare them for the monsoon season. Berger WeatherCoat All Guard is an exterior waterproofing solution that gives your walls all-round protection from external weather conditions. Consult Home Shield Waterproofing experts if your walls show signs of moisture damage.

Tip 5: Treat your roof

Opting for a UV reflective paint for your roof is a smart move since it can help keep the temperature down by a few degrees throughout the house. Berger Weathercoat RoofGuard is a waterproofing coating that is specially designed for the roof. It features heat reflectance technology with good SRI property that provides a cooling effect. The roof guard coating helps reflect harmful ultraviolet rays, limiting heat absorption and leading to lower energy costs and negative environmental impact. Berger PU RoofKoat is an environment-friendly waterproofing compound for exterior wall and roof that has advance UV resistant property, helping your exteriors reflect heat instead of absorbing it. For terrace, roof or parapet, Berger WeatherCoat Kool & Seal reflects infrared radiation to reduce heat build-up. If you live in a hot and humid climate, this coating will give your walls longevity, keeping dust, moisture and bacteria at bay whilst making your home interiors cool and fresh.

Tip 6: Get smart with wall paint

While you are checking out the roof, consider more energy-efficient options for the walls too. Better insulation and cooling properties will help keep your home cooler in extreme heat. If you’ve ever wondered why white coloured clothing is recommended during the summer months, there is a scientific reason behind this. Light colours reflect heat and dark colours absorb heat. Similar goes for light coloured walls too. If you live in a warm and tropical climate, it is best to switch your wall colours to non-heat absorbing shades like whites and pastels. Black, red and other dark hues absorb exterior heat, rapidly warming up the house. One of the most effective ways of keeping your house cool in the summer months is to opt for cooling and UV-reflective paints in light colours like Berger WeatherCoat range.

Tip 7: Bring in greenery

Plants like the areca palm tree, aloe vera, and ferns can keep indoors cool since they have the ability to absorb toxins in the air. Since these plants also look aesthetically pleasing, they look great in any corner. Strategically placed shady trees and plants on the east and west sides of the house will block out the sun’s rays. Growing creepers and vines on the balcony grills and indoor screens/dividers can also help keep the house cooler.

Tip 8: Energy-efficient lights

Regular lights are not energy efficient and radiate a lot of excess heat which can quickly warm up the house. Use energy-efficient lights like LEDs or CFLs in high use areas. Turn off lights when not in use, especially incandescent light bulbs. Most electronics that use electricity emit heat even when they are not in use. Unplug electronic equipment when they are idle to reduce the amount of heat they generate.

Even in the hottest weather conditions, it is entirely possible to remain comfortable indoors with little to no use of air conditioning. By using these naturally cooling strategies, you can not only save money but ensure that you are doing your bit to protect the environment by being energy efficient. With global warming concerns increasing, hot weather problems are said to arise in the future and it is essential to implement solutions that focus on short term comfort while delivering long term impact.