Trouble Keeping Cool? Home Improvements to Make You More Comfortable
You don’t need to live in Australia to know that it gets hot here. Australian winters are milder, but the summers can be brutal, even for people born and bred here. Your home should ideally be a haven from the worst of the heat, but bad design or maintenance errors can make it so your house isn’t as cool as it should be.
Here are some ways to make sure you can control the temperature at home and cool yourself down when you need it most.
The Air Con System
The first and most important place to look is your air conditioning. If you don’t have an air conditioning system, you’ve got a problem. Air conditioning is designed to keep your house cool and to circulate air around the house. Fans and open windows alone will only move warm, uncomfortable air, but won’t provide a cooling breeze.
If your air conditioning system is using more electricity than it should or isn’t cooling your house properly, it might have a problem that needs to be fixed. Regular maintenance will keep your system running smoothly all the time.
Windows and Blinds
The summer light streams into your house through your windows, and it can make your house feel a lot warmer than it should. The simplest solution is to keep your blinds closed in the summer.
Light curtains can work to let light in, but to diffuse some of the excess heat. But at night, and especially if you need to sleep or cool down during the day, you might be better off using blackout blinds or even shutters to keep your home nice and cool.
Invest in a Swimming Pool
Do you like being outside during the day? But do you also like not feeling like your skin is melting from the heat?
In this case, a swimming pool can be a lovely way to cool down at home, without having to retreat inside all the time. If you have a bit of exterior space, you can install a small (or larger) pool to swim in and have a quick dip.
However, it’s important to bear in mind that the sun is still beating down on you even when you’re in a pool. So either put the pool in a shady, covered area, or be aware of when you need to apply sunscreen.
Sheds and Exterior Buildings
As well as your home itself, you might also want to consider sheds and workshops outside. If you spend a lot of time in the shed or garage, you could get overheated very quickly. You need to keep your shed cool as well.
Fans can be a great way to cool down a shed very quickly, especially when combined with a portable air conditioner or even an evaporative cooler. You might also want to invest in good insulation for your shed to keep excess heat out and to trap cool air inside.
