Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
Subscribe
YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

7 of the best portable air conditioners you can buy in Australia

7 of the best portable air conditioners you can buy in Australia

How to save money on your aircon costs this summer

How to save money on your aircon costs this summer

5 benefits of sleeping with the fan going

5 benefits of sleeping with the fan going

The best portable fans you can buy to stay cool this summer

The best portable fans you can buy to stay cool this summer

{headline}

{headline}

How to leave out water for wildlife without attracting mozzies

How to leave out water for wildlife without attracting mozzies

8 of the best summer sheet sets for hot sleepers and sticky nights

8 of the best summer sheet sets for hot sleepers and sticky nights

7 of the best beach towels

7 of the best beach towels

{headline}

{headline}

10 of the best beach shelters to keep you sun safe this summer

10 of the best beach shelters to keep you sun safe this summer

9 of the best ice cream machines to get you through summer

9 of the best ice cream machines to get you through summer

7 of the best portables pools

7 of the best portables pools

7 of the best slip and slides for summer

7 of the best slip and slides for summer

10 of the best drink bottles to keep you cool this summer

10 of the best drink bottles to keep you cool this summer

Charlie Albone’s top tips for planting in summer

Charlie Albone’s top tips for planting in summer

 This is the $10 portable fan you can wear this summer

This is the $10 portable fan you can wear this summer

  1. Home
  2. Better Life

How to keep your house naturally cool this summer

It's going to be a hot and dry one. - by Rebecca Lowrey Boyd
  • 03 Dec 2019

Temperatures have soared across the country as Australia endured one of the hottest Novembers on record. Now that summer has arrived, with no sign of respite, it’s time to get your house ready to handle the heat. 

WATCH: Woman rescues scorched koala with her own shirt off her back

Fixed-fee real estate disruptor Upside CEO Adam Rigby shares some simple hacks to keep your house cool, without breaking the bank.

1. Shut the blinds

Studies show up to 30 percent of unwanted heat comes from windows and high-quality curtains or purpose-designed window shades can make a major difference to the air temperature inside your home - lowering indoor temperatures up to 20 degrees. North and west-facing windows should have good block-out blinds to repel the heat. 

2. Work with your doors and windows

Make sure to keep the windows closed and the hot air out on a hot day. When the temperature drops at night, let your home cool down by throwing open the windows. 

3. Get to know your fans

Invest in ceiling fans if you haven’t already got them. Just make sure they are working in summer-mode – turning counter-clockwise as this pushes the hot air up, cooling you down. The opposite spin will do the reverse, sucking the cool air from a room towards the ceiling. If you need a quick fix, you can create a faux sea breeze by positioning a bowl of ice at an angle in front of a large fan, as the air whips off the ice, it creates a cool mist.

Ceiling fan
Getty

4. Plant a rooftop garden

Planting greenery on the roof acts as insulation for the home as the garden helps keep the air temperate inside. If you want a virtually maintenance-free green roof, look for plants that can sustain themselves with minimal care, like kangaroo paw, succulents, banksias and native daisies.

5. Shut the lights

Lights give a small amount of excess heat and in the middle of a sweltering day, every little bit makes a difference. Make sure to turn any lights off that you’re not using.

6. Revamp your bedding

Any excuse will do to invest in a fresh new quilt and sheet set, and summer calls for light, breathable fabrics to ensure a good night’s sleep. Look for linen or pure cotton sheets, and invest in a quality summer-weight blanket with a light cotton or silk fill. Stick to light colours for summer bedding, as they reflect rather than absorb heat. 

7. Plant shade trees

Trees and plants are an effective way to block the heat from coming in through the windows. Plant strategically positioned trees and shrubs in garden beds or pots outside the windows that get the most direct sunlight during the day, creating natural shade cover for years to come. If you want more natural sunlight during the cooler months, go for trees that lose their leaves during autumn and winter, like jacaranda, ash, birch, maple and robinia.

  • Garden
  • Better Life
Rebecca Lowrey Boyd
Rebecca is the Digital Managing Editor of Better Homes and Gardens.

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

7 of the best portable air conditioners you can buy in Australia

7 of the best portable air conditioners you can buy in Australia

How to save money on your aircon costs this summer

How to save money on your aircon costs this summer

5 benefits of sleeping with the fan going

5 benefits of sleeping with the fan going

The best portable fans you can buy to stay cool this summer

The best portable fans you can buy to stay cool this summer

{headline}

{headline}

How to leave out water for wildlife without attracting mozzies

How to leave out water for wildlife without attracting mozzies

8 of the best summer sheet sets for hot sleepers and sticky nights

8 of the best summer sheet sets for hot sleepers and sticky nights

7 of the best beach towels

7 of the best beach towels

{headline}

{headline}

10 of the best beach shelters to keep you sun safe this summer

10 of the best beach shelters to keep you sun safe this summer

9 of the best ice cream machines to get you through summer

9 of the best ice cream machines to get you through summer

7 of the best portables pools

7 of the best portables pools

7 of the best slip and slides for summer

7 of the best slip and slides for summer

10 of the best drink bottles to keep you cool this summer

10 of the best drink bottles to keep you cool this summer

Charlie Albone’s top tips for planting in summer

Charlie Albone’s top tips for planting in summer

 This is the $10 portable fan you can wear this summer

This is the $10 portable fan you can wear this summer

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Shop This Offer
Get your mag delivered!