Ridhi
The weather’s starting to heat up. Summer is just around the corner and experts predict it is going to be a warm one. Studies show that global temperatures are rising, which means places that normally have mild summers are having intensely hot ones. Australia is notoriously hot as it is, so even slight temperature increases can lead to unbearable weather. This post will explore this topic in more detail, telling you what you can do at home to make sure that you create shade and beat the summer heat.
1. Window Awnings
Marble Bay, Western Australia is often considered the hottest town in Australia. However, temperatures get pretty high in Melbourne, too. Investing in window awnings in Melbourne can be a great way to beat the summer heat. They function as mini roofs over windows and doors, keeping sunlight away. They can also contribute to your home’s aesthetic and make your house more energy efficient. Also worth noting is that they can prevent furniture from fading since they block sunlight. If you have any expensive items of furniture sitting by a window, awnings can provide protection. After periods of hot weather, it’s common for there to be heavy rainfall. If you have awnings fitted, when rain does fall, you can still keep your windows open and air your house out, letting cool air in. This is because the awning will prevent rain from getting anywhere near your windows.
2. Close Your Blinds
During the morning and early afternoon, close your blinds. When the sun is rising to its highest point, it will heat your house up. Closing your blinds blocks the sun from getting inside and deflects heat away from your home. Alternatively, you can close your curtains. By blocking the sun, you keep the rooms of your house nice and cool. You can also use reflective strips, which will be mentioned in the next section. Remember: After the sun has set or when it is no longer visible, you can open your blinds again. It’s often a good idea to open the windows when the sun sets, and the atmosphere starts cooling down. This is so that you can air your house out and get the heat out.
3. Reflective Window Strips
On the windows of your home, consider fitting reflective window strips. Reflective window strips can deflect the sun’s rays and ensure the interior of your house does not warm up. These strips are widely available and are a great investment. If you are planning on buying some, make sure you buy them from a reliable vendor. Try to find ones made from quality materials so that they last a long time. If you buy ones that are made from poor-quality materials, they won’t last long. Always read a seller’s reviews on whatever e-commerce platform you are using just so you can verify their products are worth purchasing. A seller’s reviews give you clear insight into what working with a specific person is going to be like.
4. Using Air Conditioning
With energy bills rising, air conditioning is not an option for most Australians. The price of electricity is extremely high right now, making the thought of using an air conditioning unit quite daunting. However, sometimes people have no choice but to use them. If you have a baby or pets in the house, you need to keep temperatures down. Allowing them to rise to dangerously high levels puts you and your loved ones at risk. Air conditioning can be kept efficient by buying a new, eco-friendly unit. Alternatively, run your old one for a few hours a day. You can minimize energy costs by keeping the temperature set on your AC a few degrees lower than the temperature outside, provided it’s 30 degrees Celsius outside. If it creeps higher than that, you need to ensure your unit’s lower than 27, otherwise your house is going to become uncomfortably hot.
5. Improve Insulation
A good way to ensure your house does not get too hot in summer is to improve its insulation. A lot of Australian homes have very good insulation, owing to the dedication and experience of the construction firms that built them. In spite of widespread good insulation, some houses do not. Make sure that you check your home’s insulation out and find out whether it’s good enough to repel hot weather or not. Also worth noting is that if you have any gaps in your windows or doors, hot air can come in through them. You can buy plastic strips that you fit around your windows and doors to add insulation. These strips are very cheap and can be purchased in most hardware stores, so check them out.
6. Wear Loose Clothing
Wear loose, airy clothing. If the weather’s hot outside, the last thing you want to put on is something that’s restrictive and made from a synthetic fabric like polyester. Loose clothing that’s made from natural materials like cotton or linen can help your skin breathe and make your house feel a lot less hot. Wearing these clothes outside during the summer is also very pleasurable since they don’t make you feel like you are melting alive. A lot of people are reluctant to buy clothes made from natural materials, fearing they are expensive. You can find very affordable cotton and linen clothing online, however. More and more companies are realizing the need for clothes made from natural materials and are selling them at very reasonable prices.
7. Avoid Activity
Finally, when the weather’s warm outside, the best thing you can do is to relax and avoid any strenuous activity. Doing too much when it’s hot can lead to you overheating. Many people make the mistake of rushing outside when the weather gets good and playing sports or hanging out with friends. While you can of course do these things on warm days, when the weather’s really heating up and we’re dealing with a heatwave, it’s better to stay inside, kick back, and wait for the heat to pass. Preparing for summer should be your main priority, especially considering that it’s just around the corner. With hotter and hotter summers predicted, Australians need to adapt. The guidance given in this post will hopefully help them to do so.
