We know how hot it gets in summer and even into autumn and air conditioning gets expensive so use these methods with air conditioning as a last resort.
Summer in The Hills Shire brings scorching temperatures that can make staying indoors uncomfortable. While air conditioning offers instant relief, it’s often expensive to run and contributes to environmental concerns. Fortunately, there are many effective and eco-friendly ways to cool your home naturally. We suggest these ways to beat the heat.
Plant deciduous trees, especially to the west
Deciduous trees, those that lose their leaves in winter, will shade your home and provide relief from the harsh summer sun. In winter, these trees allow sun to warm your home, reducing your reliance on heating. If you prefer shade all year, then think about Lilly Pilly, which is fast-growing and easy to clip when it gets too large for your garden.
Add a green wall
Using living walls as shade provides a natural barrier against the afternoon sun. You can easily create one using a trellis or a planter with a trellis from your local hardware store like Bunnings. To make it easier, you could also install an automatic watering system. Green walls are versatile when it comes to plants you can use. Think about star jasmine, banksia rose and bougainvillea (although not if you have small children as bougainvillea especially has nasty thorns), wisteria, ornamental grape vine, passionfruit
Install awnings or shade cloth
Awnings or shade cloth over windows, doors and patios facing the sun can significantly reduce solar heat gain, keeping your home cooler. These useful treatments also reduce heat gain from radiant heat that you might be getting from a neighbour’s wall. Reflected or radiant heat can be heating up your home even when the sun isn’t on that side of your home so it’s wise to deal with it.
Add window treatments with a thermal backing
Invest in good-quality window treatments like blinds or curtains with a thermal backing. These help to insulate your windows, preventing heat from entering during the day and escaping at night. They might only help with one or two degrees of heat but that can be the difference between unbearable and tolerable.
Make natural ventilation your friend
Open windows and doors on opposite sides of your home to create a cross-breeze. This allows cooler air to circulate throughout your house, effectively pushing out hot air. However, on searingly hot, still days, it’s best to close up your home to retain the cool air from overnight.
Cool your surroundings
A lush green lawn helps to cool the surrounding air through evapo-transpiration. When you water your lawn late in the evening or early in the morning, the water will evaporate during the day, removing heat from the air and helping to keep your home cooler. However, you don’t want an excessive water bill so it’s worth investing in a rainwater tank so you can use the contents on your garden. Even in drought years, we get some rain, and harvesting it helps to conserve water and reduce reliance on municipal supplies. Remember, 1mm of rain falling on 1 square metre of surface area yields 1 litre of water so even small downpours will fill your rainwater tank.
Insulate your ceiling
Ceiling insulation acts as a barrier between your home’s interior and the scorching summer sun. Insulation will stop the sun’s heat from penetrating your interior and help your home stay cooler in summer (and warmer in winter). Your indoor temperature will be more stable, meaning you’ll feel more comfortable – summer or winter.
Use ceiling fans
Ceiling fans create a cooling effect by circulating air. They are particularly effective when humidity levels are low. It’s important to remember that fans cool people, not the air, so turn them off when you aren’t in the room.
Additional cooling tips
- Cook during cooler parts of the day to avoid adding heat to your home.
- Use heat-generating appliances sparingly during the hottest parts of the day.
- Close blinds and curtains during the hottest parts of the day to keep the sun out.
- Open windows and doors at night to allow cooler air to circulate.
- Install reflective window film to reduce solar heat gain.
- Consider a light-coloured ‘cool roof’ to reflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption.
Reserve your air conditioning for extreme conditions
If you use all or even some of our suggestions above, you can keep your heavy-duty air conditioning use for heatwaves or when the humidity levels mean ceiling fans aren’t useful.
You’ll be saving money and minimising your environmental impact. Remember, a well-insulated and well-ventilated home is key to staying cool and comfortable throughout the summer months.
Thinking of selling or need selling advice in The Hills?
We have buyers looking for homes in Rouse Hill, Beaumont Hills, Box Hill, Kellyville, North Kellyville and Tallawong. As established real estate agents, we’re here to help. Get in touch today by calling us on 02 8883 0777.