Tips for keeping your home cool in summer
With climate change, heat waves have become more frequent, and will become even more so in the years to come. During this period, discomfort in the home can set in very quickly. As much as we love summer and sunny days, we don't like it when our home becomes a steam room. Here are a few tips on how to keep your home cool on hot days.
Start by furnishing your home and taking advantage of plants to combat the heat. Plants are the remedy for all our ills, including heat! Plants are able to modify the temperature of the earth's atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis. When the atmosphere heats up, plants automatically release moisture into the air to cool themselves: this is evapotranspiration. Aloe vera, palm and ficus, for example, are very trendy plants for the season. Now's the time to go all out for beautiful plant decoration!
Next, a basic trick we all know, yet which is highly effective: close curtains and blinds during the day and open them early in the morning or late in the evening, when it's cooler outside than inside. It's also a good idea to open windows on either side of the house to create a draught.
In addition, by limiting the use of electronic devices, you can avoid overheating. Don't forget to switch off all your appliances as soon as you stop using them, especially at night.
Focus on the bedroom: use bed linen suitable for summer. Sheets made from natural materials such as linen or cotton. These fine materials are very useful on hot summer nights, allowing air to circulate and reducing perspiration.
Pay particular attention to your home's insulation. Heat enters mainly through the roof and attic, as these are the most exposed areas. You can use a variety of materials, such as cork or cellulose wadding, which are moisture-resistant and environmentally friendly.
If you're lucky enough to have a terrace or garden, make the most of it! To optimize your terrace, pay particular attention to the floor: choose a wooden floor or flagstone rather than a stone floor, which stores heat. And whether indoors or out, plants are always your best allies: by watering your plants daily, you'll be able to create a humid, refreshing microclimate. We advise you to use hanging plants in particular. As they grow in volume, they will naturally create shade. You can also opt for a pergola, which acts as both decoration and solar protection, especially if it's covered with climbing plants such as wisteria or honeysuckle.
Now you have all the keys you need to optimize your home for a more pleasant summer, and to continue living normally on hot days.
