There are several ways to keep the interior of the house cool during the hot summer days. Here are some tips that will help you refresh the interior of your home naturally and cheaply:

•  Use plants as a natural air conditioner. Plants mainly contribute to cooling the air by evapotranspiration and the shade they provide.

For example, balcony plants as well as vines or climbing plants keep the air foliar transpiration which is also called evapotranspiration. Plants are composed of 80 to 95 % water. They draw water and nutrients from the ground through their root systems. Subsequently, in order to regulate their temperature from heat, plant leaves transpire, and there is a loss of water in the atmosphere.

 

In addition to evapotranspiration, a deciduous tree planted on the south or the southwest side will slow heat accumulation and reduce cooling needs by projecting a shadow on the house and protecting it from the sun. Furthermore, it will help refresh the air, reduce smog levels by circulating the air and produce water vapor when it transpires. The opposite will occur in the winter if you select trees that lose their leaves in the winter, because the sun’s rays can penetrate and heat the house within naturally. To prevent cooling caused by cold winter winds, it is best to plant conifers on the north side to create a screen or windbreak. When planting trees, it is important to respect the distances required for proper tree growth and to avoid planting trees too close to the house to avoid creating a surplus of humidity near the house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Open windows at night and close them early in the morning.

Opening windows at night allows the renewal of fresh air inside. If your home has two floors, open the windows upstairs to create a chimney effect. You will create a natural system because warm air tends to rise. The ideal time to open the windows is when the sun goes down while windows should be shut early in the morning before the sun becomes too hot.

•  Close curtains during the day.

To prevent the interior of the house from becoming hot, block the sun’s rays as they pass through windows as they will be transformed into heat. Close curtains or door shutters, or add some shutters, horizontal or vertical blinds to the windows.  The advantage of blinds is that it is always possible to close them to filter out the light. You can also create your own evaporation phenomenon by hanging a wet sheet or towel in front of your window; it will lower room temperature.

• Limit using the oven and dryer during the day.
• To light the house, use energy-saving bulbs, and avoid halogen or incandescent lamps that consume a lot of energy and produce heat.
• Make sure that electrical appliances are turned off and not on standby, since they produce heat even in this mode.
•  Installing fans allows air circulation and will be less expensive than an air-conditioner.  To create a fresh effect, put your fan in front of a bottle of frozen water!
• Make sure your home is well-insulated. Good roof insulation, in particular, will keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. 
• Choose light colors for curtains, blinds and even walls or house siding.  Light colors reflect light rather than store heat.
• Move your bedroom to a room facing east. You can enjoy the sun in the morning, but the room will remain in the shade and stay cool the rest of the day.

All these little tips will help you keep your home cool cheaply and naturally!