Keeping your home cool and comfortable doesn't need to be expensive. Here are some practical tips on how to control the heat at home.
Does your electricity bill leave you scratching your head every month after using your air conditioner a little more than usual? Whether it’s the height of summer, or just a hot and sticky day in particular, living in a tropical home can get uncomfortable.
Here are some nifty yet thrifty ways to help lower the heat (and electricity bills) inside your home.
1. Cross-ventilation
Take advantage of cross-ventilation by keeping both sides of the house open so the wind flows freely inside your home. Install screens on doors and windows to keep the flies, mosquitoes, and other bugs out. Pro tip: Homes facing north or south have better cross-ventilation because they face the natural direction of the breeze.
2. Ceiling fan
Ceiling fans are cheaper and consume less power compared to air conditioners. They are especially useful in places where people most often congregate such as the living room and dining room. Ceiling fans accelerate the rate of evaporation in your skin as you perspire so you can feel cooler, reducing heat by as much as 6 degrees Centigrade.
3. Go Green
Plants not only bring life and lushness to your home, they also act as natural coolants. While all plants convert carbon dioxide (the primary greenhouse gas) into oxygen, some can actually absorb extreme humidity and release cool moisture in the air. Look for snake plants, aloe vera, Tillandsia, lady palm, and Boston fern to do the trick.
4. Window treatments
Did you know that approximately 1/3 of the heat inside the home during the day comes through the windows? You can prevent this through several ways.
- Awnings
Install awnings outside your windows to shield the window from direct sunlight. Awnings are small roof-like covers placed above a section of the house and usually made from a waterproof fabric. Place them above West or East-facing windows as those get the most sun during the day.
- Protective Films
Insulated window films for your glass windows add a layer of protection from the sun’s harsh rays. They reduce infrared heat by as much as 98% and even add privacy to your home.
- Curtains, shades, or blinds
Whether you choose between regular curtains, or more expensive shades or blinds, window treatments allow you to control the amount of light and heat that comes through your windows from the inside.
5. Air conditioner (But use it wisely)
When you can’t avoid using the air conditioner, there are still ways to cut down on costs. Experts advise setting your temperature between 23-26 degrees Celsius – each degree lower can add 10 percent to your electricity bill. Make sure to close all doors and windows to keep the cool air inside the room. At night, set the timer so it can turn off automatically after a few hours when you’re already asleep (and temperatures outside have dropped). And if you haven’t bought one yet, look for inverter units that are more energy-efficient.
One of the best ways to enjoy a cool and comfortable home all year round is choosing a great location. Those who live in higher elevations like Tagaytay, Baguio and Antipolo enjoy relatively cooler climates than those who live in the lowlands.
At PlusHomes La Grandeza Antipolo, you can experience pleasant mountainside living while still being near the city’s top conveniences. The village is located within Pagrai Hills and stands outs with its Mediterranean-inspired architecture, cool mountain breeze, and panoramic views. You can choose between a 4-bedroom Single Attached Home or a 3-bedroom Townhouse – which both come with functional layouts, standard bare finishings complete with rooms, flooring and ceiling, and expert home construction by Megawide Construction – at budget-friendly pricing and payment terms.
Cool and comfortable living is now within reach at PlusHomes La Grandeza.
