Low-cost ways to keep your house cool
Follow some of these tips to stay cool in the heat:
- Close the windows and draw the curtains. We want to keep the hot air out, so if the sun is shining in your south-facing windows close them and draw the curtain or blind. Then, once the sun goes down and the temperature drops, open them to let the cooler air in.
- Create a cross-breeze through the house. If you need to open your windows to feel a breeze, open windows at opposite sides of the house and keep the doors open to allow the air to move through.
- Place some bowls of water around the house. When hot, dry air travels over water, the water evaporates and takes the heat energy from the air. As a result, the air gets cooler. Adding ice to the water will make it even cooler.
- Use a fan wisely. Electric fans are great but use energy so it’s important to get the best from them. Fans don’t cool the air but move the air, so position them at ground level pointing upwards to push the hot air up and out. You can also try adding a bowl of ice water in front of the fan blades to push out cold air.
How to keep yourself cool:
- Take a cool shower. The cold water lowers your body's core temperature.
- Drink more water than usual and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
- Run your wrists under the cold tap. The pulse points are where blood vessels are close to the skin, making them cool will cool you down.
- Place a cold wash cloth on the back of your neck. Blood vessels are close to the skin here too and will cool you down.
- Wear loose fitting clothing made from cotton, linen or other breathable materials.
- Freeze a hot water bottle. Fill it with water and put it in the freezer a few hours. You could even place it in your bed to cool it down before you get in.