Tips for a cool home on hot days

Especially in the summer months of July and August, temperatures climb above 30 degrees in many places. Although this summer weather is pleasant at the lake, in the outdoor pool or the pool in your own garden, it can quickly lead to uncomfortable heat in your own home. Poorly insulated old buildings and the upper floors of houses are particularly badly affected. What protects living spaces from heating up in midsummer and how can warm days at home be made more pleasant?

A bright bedroom© Unsplash.com

Plan or retrofit a ventilation system when building a house

A ventilation system is a particularly effective way of regulating the indoor temperature in summer. As this is a complex system, the ventilation system should ideally be planned when the house is built. In some cases, ventilation systems can also be retrofitted.

Modern systems are energy-efficient, environmentally friendly and allow precise control of the room temperature in both summer and winter. Suitable ventilation grilles on the inside and outside of the system prevent insects from entering and also serve as a pollen filter. If the ventilation system is connected to a smart home system, the room temperature can even be controlled via an app.

Create blackout options

Windows heat up considerably in the sunlight and are therefore a particularly important point when it comes to protecting a home from heating up in summer. The greatest effect can be achieved by installing sun protection on the outside of the window. If blinds are fitted, they should be closed during the day in summer and only opened in the evening for ventilation. Intelligent sun protection for windows uses sensors to automatically detect when sunlight hits the windows and then closes automatically.

Floor-to-ceiling windows that open out onto the patio or balcony can often be protected from direct sunlight by a sun sail. Shutters that can be closed during the day at the height of summer are just as practical. If, on the other hand, it is not possible to install sun protection on the outside, special window films and curtains made of insulating fabric can help. However, the effect is significantly less than with external sun protection.

Correct ventilation in summer

You can also reduce the heat in your own home during the height of summer by ventilating in advance. During the day, windows and doors should ideally remain closed so that the hot air does not get inside. The best time for ventilation is early in the morning, as this is usually when the temperature is at its lowest. In order to achieve the fastest possible air exchange, opposite windows are opened completely at the same time. Cross-ventilation allows fresh, cool morning air to enter the room quickly. It can also help to hang thin, wet cotton sheets in front of the open windows. This generates evaporative cooling.

Little tricks for summer heat within your own four walls

If the temperature in your own home still rises to uncomfortably high levels, fans can provide some relief. They ensure pleasant air circulation. A cold footbath also helps the body to regulate its temperature. It has a pleasantly refreshing effect. To make going to bed in the evening on tropical nights more pleasant, you can put your pyjamas in the freezer for about half an hour beforehand. This trick is particularly effective if the nightwear is made of silk or satin. The hot water bottle can also be converted into a cooling bottle in summer. To do this, fill it with cold water and a few ice cubes or place it in the freezer for a short time.