UAE’s temperature is humid and hot for most part of the year. Though most places, including residential units, are air conditioned, we’ve compiled a list of tips to keep your house cool in summer. Most of the tips help keep your home cool without air-conditioning and help save the electricity bill.
Tips to Keep Your House Cool in Summer
It’s only natural to turn on the AC in the sweltering heat. That said, to keep your house feeling cooler you first need to get the hot air out. Let’s go through some useful ways to keep your house cool in summer.
Add Windows
Ventilation is very important to keep your home cool in summer. Maintaining the temperature of a windowless home is very difficult. Add windows to your house if they don’t have any. Windows help with better air circulation, they allow natural light to enter the home, which is good for health and also a mood enhancer.
Windows also help reduce electricity bills. A residential unit without any windows will need air-conditioning 24/7 – however, that is not the case with units that have windows.
Keep the Blinds Closed
Keep the blinds closed, especially if your house is not west-open. Keeping the blind closed till evening protects the house from direct sunlight and helps keep it cool. Usually, a major portion of heat comes from south and west-facing windows. Shades and blinds help keep lower indoor temperatures.
Use Blackout Curtains
Apart from blinds, you can prepare your house from summer by using blackout curtains to keep your house. Blackout curtains are made of a thick material and they block the sunlight. Moreover, they help improve energy efficiency by insulating the room.
Neutral colored curtains with a white plastic backing also helps reduce the heat. Here is a list of different home curtain designs.
Use Cotton Sheets
Switching your bed sheets each season not only helps improve the room’s interior, it also helps keep it cool. Using light material like cotton and buckwheat pillows during summer helps the room stay cooler.
Install Heat Exhaust Fan
In addition to windows, installing heat exhaust fans helps beat the heat during summer. Exhaust fans suck the hot, humid air out of your room, allowing fresh air to enter without an open door or window. Kitchens are usually the hottest spot of the house, installing heat exhaust fans near the cooking range helps keep the kitchen’s temperature breathable. Moreover, if the washrooms don’t have windows, consider installing an exhaust fan to keep the room cool. Exhaust fans help improve the indoor air quality.
Use LED Lights
Incandescent light bulbs produce lots of heat. Install LED light bulbs, they save energy, help reduce the electricity bill and also help keep your home cool during summer.
Use Pedestal and Ceiling Fans
In addition to using splits, pedestal fans and ceiling fans also help reduce the heat. The air movement created by these fans helps keep your home cool during summer. If you want to save on electricity bills but the temperature outside is soaring, there are different ways to keep your house cool without AC. For instance, you can add ice to a mixing bowl and keep it in front of a small pedestal fan or beneath the ceiling fan. This helps keep the room cool without air conditioning.
Insulate the Roofs
Rising temperatures are a reason for rising electricity bills. Excessive use of air conditioners also increases humidity. Nevertheless, waterproofing and insulating roofs are among the effective ways to keep your house cool without ACs. If you live in Dubai, here is a list of roof insulation and waterproofing companies in Dubai. Moreover, those based in the capital can go through these waterproofing and roof insulation companies in Abu Dhabi.
Unplug Electronics
Unplugging electronics that aren’t being used helps reduce the heat in your house to a great extent. Many unused appliances are plugged in different rooms and they all emit heat. Keep unused appliances on standby to maintain the home temperature and to reduce the DEWA bills.
Stay Hydrated
FAQs
What are the most effective ways to cool a house without using air conditioning?
Natural ventilation, ceiling fans, blackout curtains, reflective window films and using appliances during cooler hours are some effective non-AC solutions.
How can I reduce indoor heat during peak summer hours?
Keep curtains or blinds closed during the day, especially on sun-facing windows. Also, use insulated window coverings and avoid heat-generating activities like cooking during peak hours.
Is it worth upgrading insulation in summer?
Yes. Proper insulation helps keep hot air out and cool air in, reducing the load on cooling systems and lowering energy bills.
While keeping your room cool during the summer is important, it is also necessary to maintain your body temperature to prevent heat strokes and other illnesses caused by the warm weather. Drink plenty of water and other cool drinks like lemonades to keep your body cool from the inside out.
That is all about keeping your home cool in the summer. Moreover, you can always go for a swim. If you have one inside your residence, here is how to maintain the pool temperature during summers to beat the heat.
Stay tuned to dubizzle’s property blog for more useful tips.
