Beat the Heat Naturally: Sustainable Ways to Cool Your Home

Summer can be exhaustingly hot in some parts of the world, and it can cause much physical and emotional damage. For example, interrupted sleep patterns due to high temperatures can cost the British economy £60bn a year, according to a report by Forbes. This is just a soft consequence; heatwaves can cause much more. 

Luckily, for those interested in the planet’s wellbeing, there are ways to keep cool while being conscious about the environment. Let’s go through some of them.

Natural Cooling Techniques

Air conditioners, coolers, fridges running at their maximum capacity, ice machines, fans, and much more are utilised to keep us more comfortable during the summer. 

Eco-friendly alternatives are a good way to reduce your carbon footprint, save on energy bills, and still enjoy this time of the year. 

Simple, Yet Essential: Windows and Air

Sounds pretty obvious, right? 

Proper ventilation can work wonders in cooling your home naturally. 

This might not apply to every location, but for windy places, this could be a great solution. If you have windows on opposite sides of your house, you should try opening them all from side to side. 

This could create a cross-breeze, especially if you live in a building on the upper floors. This simple technique allows fresh air to flow through your space, pushing out hot air and bringing in cooler air.

Keep track of these simple tips to optimise the air: 

• Use fans strategically: Place fans near windows to give the cross-breeze effect a little push.
• Open windows at night: Nighttime air is cooler, so let it in to reduce indoor temperatures.

Natural Shades

It is well known that green spaces like a garden can cool a house. But this is not only because plants purify our air, but also because they create shades. 

Planting trees and shrubs strategically around your property can provide natural shade and reduce the amount of direct sunlight hitting your house. Do not underestimate the power of a good tree, they’re huge space coolers. 

Also consider using thick curtains in your home, blocking the sunlight is essential. 

Roofs and Walls

If your house is particularly old you might want to rethink these aspects. To keep the house cool, all walls including the roof must be of light colours of course. 

We all know that black attracts the sun’s rays and could create an extra temperature. 

Plus, consider installing a cool roof, they are designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than standard roofs. 

Energy-Efficient Appliances

Air Conditioners

You should consider only using them when needed and avoiding unnecessary usage. 

Another thing to keep in mind is that while traditional air conditioners are notorious for their energy consumption, modern units are far more efficient. 

This can help you save electricity and money, creating a true win-win situation. 

Don’t Forget About Fans 

Fans are a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to air conditioners. 

We know they are not as effective as turning the AC on, for example: sometimes at night it is not truly needed to use the AC, a little push from your fan could maybe do the work. 

Smart Home Tech

Some people have this silly idea that green means the opposite of technology. That’s not quite accurate; you can use technology to be involved in more conscious practices. 

Embrace this to make your home smarter and more energy-efficient. A smart home system, for example, can help you manage your home’s temperature more effectively. 

Here are some easy-to-use and functional tools you can use: 

• Smart thermostats: Control your home’s temperature remotely and set schedules to optimise cooling.
• Automated blinds and shades: These can open and close based on the sun’s position, keeping your home cool naturally.

• Smart plugs and meters: You can monitor and control the energy usage of individual devices by using this. 
• Smart Devices: Many smart appliances, have green options and you can program them to turn off automatically. Plus you can connect them to your most used devices, such as your phone to turn off or on any of them.

Keep in mind that when using any of these tech tools, you must remain safe. Protecting your online activity and your home appliance information is crucial in 2024. 

A lot of information can be found within your family’s IoT devices devices. In fact, once, a fish tank was once hacked to steal some sensitive information. You surely want to avoid any hackers from cracking your devices in this context. 

Start with protecting your phone with the best VPN for iPhones if you’re an Apple user and look or other security tools like strong password manager, for other devices.

Embrace a Sustainable Lifestyle

Community Involvement

Getting involved in your local community can help you get new perspectives and insights. Are there any green initiatives in your neighbourhood that you could join?

Some places have community garden initiatives, which can help cool the whole area. More plants and trees are beneficial to everyone. Join all local efforts you can to clean up local parks, beaches, and streets.

Keep Up The Good Work 

Staying informed about the latest in sustainable living can help you make better choices. Do you follow any eco-friendly blogs or podcasts?  

Look for books, online courses, and workshops on sustainability. Follow environmental news to stay aware of new technologies and practices.

Conclusion

Don’t pressure yourself, and try to implement all at once. Take your time and implement these eco-friendly tactics into your life calmly. 

Staying cool and comfortable during the summer doesn’t have to come at the expense of our planet and your health. 

By adopting eco-friendly cooling methods, investing in energy-efficient appliances, and embracing smart home technology, you can enjoy a sustainable lifestyle while protecting the environment. 

So, why not start today?