It’s summer!! It’s finally nice and warm again. But if there is a heat wave, it can quickly become unbearably hot inside your own four walls. We give you tips on how to keep your house or flat cool.
Too much heat during the summer months? The health risks
When the air in your home becomes hot and dry at the height of summer, it is not only unpleasant – it can also have serious consequences for your physical health. The mucous membranes dry out and become more susceptible to viruses and bacteria. The risk of summer flu or other respiratory problems increases considerably and irritation can appear on the skin. In addition, blood pressure drops, leading to sluggishness and headaches – which is particularly unpleasant at work.
No less stressful is too high a room temperature at night. If it exceeds the recommended 16 to 19 degrees, your sleep is less restful. Poor sleep, in turn, slows down the burning of fat at night, which can lead to weight gain in the long run.
The good news: you are largely in control of the heat regulation in your house or flat!
Simple instant tricks to beat the summer heat
Long-term measures against heat in the house or flat are often cost-intensive and must be thoroughly planned and thought through. Here you can find out how to cool effectively even in the short term and without great expense.
The „bed sheet trick“ for fresh room air
Hanging damp sheets and towels is a quick and easy way to effectively cool down the room temperature. How does it work? While the damp sheets are drying, heat is extracted from the air and thus the immediate environment is cooled down. The so-called „evaporative cooling“ that occurs in the process guarantees a pleasant refreshment in your rooms. It also helps to remove carpets during the summer.
But beware: this trick is only suitable in dry heat. If it is muggy hot outside, the ambient air cannot absorb any new moisture. No evaporation takes place and the cooling effect is missing.
Draught in the morning hours: Cooling down through clever ventilation
Proper ventilation can also keep your house or flat cool, but only if you do it right. Ventilate three to four times a day, preferably only during the morning hours or in the evening when the outside temperature has already cooled down – this is usually enough to allow the necessary air exchange. Open two windows that are slightly apart from each other to create a refreshing draught. Before you leave the house or flat in the morning, however, be sure to close the windows and shade them, otherwise you will bring new heat into the house.
If several people are staying in your flat, you should consider another aspect: the influence of body temperature. Many people who are in a room for a long time generate damp heat. Occasional shock ventilation is then indispensable.
With an open floor plan, you can open the windows on different floors, ideally also a skylight. Then the warm and stale air rises through the natural chimney effect, can escape and the cooler air draws in.
You must be careful when ventilating your cellar. If warm air flows in, it can condense on the cold cellar walls. This creates moisture and possibly mould. So only ventilate your cellar when the outside air is noticeably cooler and drier than the inside air.
Which purchase is worthwhile? Ventilators, mobile air conditioners & evaporative coolers in check
Air conditioners, which are also available as small mobile devices, are particularly effective for cooling rooms. The catch: air conditioners consume a relatively large amount of electricity and are also quite noisy. In addition, the warm air must be transported outside via an exhaust hose. This means that you have to leave a window or door open, which allows new heat to enter your home.
Ventilators are somewhat more energy-efficient. While they don’t actually cool the surrounding air, they do cause better air circulation. This provides a perceived cooling effect, as the resulting draught is perceived as cooler than stagnant air.
So-called air or evaporative coolers can also provide a pleasant climate. These combine the functionality of a fan with an integrated water tank. The advantages: Air coolers are mobile, do not consume as much electricity as an air conditioner and do not require an exhaust hose. However, you should note that the cooling capacity is less constant than that of air conditioners.
Switch off unnecessary heat sources
Every running electrical appliance gives off heat, even if it is in standby mode. Therefore, always switch off all electrical appliances that you are not using at the moment. A minimal effort with a noticeable effect – for you and the environment! Because this way you also save electricity and produce less CO2.
In a darkened flat you can survive even the hottest summer days
If you want to keep the room temperature in your home cool, it is essential to let in as little sunlight as possible through the windows during the day. Roller shutters and curtains provide a pleasant cooling effect. Thermal blinds coated with mother-of-pearl or aluminium reflect heat particularly well. If you live on the ground floor, you can also install awnings to effectively block direct sunlight.
Window films are also a good alternative or supplement to darken the flat. These are stuck directly onto the window panes. Make sure that the window films are easy to remove and, if possible, reusable so that the purchase is worthwhile. This way you can remove the films in winter and use them again next summer.