As summer temperatures begin to skyrocket, it’s almost impossible to think about life without the cooling comfort of our trusted air conditioner. While it offers us a sweet escape from the heat, it also results in heavier energy consumption and larger utility bills.
It’s not always easy to negotiate the use of an air conditioner. After all, the UK is currently embroiled in recurring heatwaves, with temperatures in the summer frequently breaking records too. There can be a temptation to keep it on until autumn arrives.
You might wonder, “Is there a way to lower our reliance on these energy-hungry devices?” You bet there is! Let’s delve into a few strategies you can employ.
Insulating Your Home Effectively
Proper insulation works wonders in maintaining a comfortable temperature in your living spaces, limiting the need for extra cooling in the summer months. We’re not just talking about the loft, either. Wall insulation, double glazing, and even floor insulation can all help you keep your cool when the sun’s at its peak.
Check for any cracks or leaks in your doors and windows. If detected, seal them immediately. Such leaks can allow the cool air to escape and the hot air to sneak in, causing your air conditioner to work double time. Insulation helps in cooling your house during the summers and keeps it warm during the winters, making its implementation a win-win situation in the truest sense of the phrase!
UPVC doors and windows provide superior insulation compared to traditional materials. They are designed to reduce heat transfer, keeping your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. So, next time you think about replacing your windows or doors, work with a dedicated UPVC supplier like Veka to ensure you get the best materials for the most affordable price. They also provide great guidance on all the different types of UPVC materials, drawing on their 50 years’ worth of experience to do so.
Employing Greenery
We all know that plants oxygenate rooms and are good for the air. However, they can also help you cool your property too.
In a combined process called evapotranspiration, plants release moisture into the air that creates a localised cooling effect. It’s water evaporation from the soil surface to the transpiration from the plant. The immediate vicinity of the plants is cooled that way, but if you have a number of them, the effects will be more widespread.
Suitable plants for this include English Ivy, Peace Lilies, Areca Palms, and Boston Ferns, with the latter thriving in even extremely humid conditions. So, including all of these might reduce your dependency on the air conditioner unit!
Adopting Cooling-Friendly Habits
It’s not all about the physical changes to your home. How you live your daily life can also greatly impact your need for air conditioning.
When the sun is at its peak, you can keep your home cool by utilising blackout blinds (which ironically should be white to better reflect heat), especially for south-facing windows, as it will prevent your house from turning into a greenhouse. More specifically, your blinds will mitigate the presence of radiant heat in your home – that’s heat that’s caused by sunlight heading up your indoor surfaces, which then causes them to radiate heat through the room.
Try to avoid using the oven during the day. Instead, opt for outdoor grilling, microwave meals, or fresh salads! Kitchens can quickly become like saunas if hot appliances are used often, which will again radiate heat throughout the property.