Keep your cool

There are a few simple ways you can keep comfortable without cranking up the air conditioning – and the electricity bills.

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Insulate

Installing insulation in your roof is one of the most effective ways to cool your home. Insulation forms a barrier between the heat coming off your roofing, the hot air in your roof cavity and the living spaces of your home. It also works the other way, helping to keep the heat in during the winter months. Insulation is relatively inexpensive and you can install it yourself.

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Stay shady

Awnings over north and west facing windows prevent the harsh summer sun from making its way into your home and heating it up. If putting up an awning outside your window isn’t practical, reflective film placed over the windows will help. Close fitting blinds or curtains will make a bit of a difference but the most effective method is stopping the heat from penetrating the glass in the first place.

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Ventilate

A roof ventilator removes hot air from the roof cavity of your home, increasing the effectiveness of your insulation. Wind driven turbines are an inexpensive option but a more effective solution are solar or powered models. They expel the hot air from inside your roof and draw cooler air from outside via vents installed in your eaves.

You can also use a roof ventilator to cool the inside of your home. Install ceiling vents that can be opened and closed. Keep them shut during hot days and open them at night along with a few windows. The ventilator will draw up the hot air inside to be replaced by the cool night air.

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Open and Shut Case

If it’s hot out, keep the windows and doors shut during the day to keep the heat out. At night, when it’s cooler, open them up to let the airflow through. Opening windows at opposite ends of your house will allow for cross-ventilation, cooling everything in between. If there’s no breeze, set up a pedestal fan to blow through one of the windows and create a breeze of your own.