Summertime is great for enjoying everything that nature has to offer, but who wants to endure the heat? Our nation has a wild summer, with temperatures varying from quite acceptable to appalling, depending on the region.
Sunlight almost directly falls on big portions of the world since tropical countries are positioned there. Climate warming causes temperatures to rise every year, making it hard to spend the summer indoors without an air conditioner or a cooler. That being said, it is also common knowledge that air conditioners are not inexpensive. In addition to being expensive, air conditioners use a lot of energy, which raises your electricity costs. People's miseries are exacerbated by frequent power outages. How then can one keep a house cool without air conditioning?
Not everyone enjoys carrying heat. Our routine and productivity at work are directly impacted by the environment and weather. You get sweaty and ill when it's hot outdoors because the heat permeates into your home.
Is it hard for you to keep your house cool during intense heat waves? If the temperature in your home starts to seem too high, follow these steps. Of course, this will depend on the materials and technologies that were employed to build your home, including the kind of roof—metal or RCC, brick or plasterboard, etc.
Orientation of house
Vetiver or Khus Curtains
Cross ventilation
False ceiling
Thermal insulation
Use of heat-reflective paint
White lime washes on the terrace
Use light colour
Hang out in the basement
Open the windows when the temperature drops
The orientation of a home refers to how a structure is positioned in respect to seasonal changes in the sun's path and the direction of the predominant wind. A well-placed orientation can improve your home's energy efficiency. This makes your house seem pleasant to live in throughout the summer by helping to cool it down without using an air conditioner. It also reduces the need to spend money on air conditioning. House orientation is a crucial factor to take into account while purchasing or building any kind of property for any reason.
Vetiver, often referred to as khus, is a perennial grass that grows in India. It is the finest solution for cooling a house in the heat without using an air conditioner. Weaving this grass together yields curtains known as khus or vetiver. The grade of the grass is indicated by the colour of the stem. The rich brown tone of these drapes denotes a high-quality cloth. The room remains cool because of the built-in cooling feature of these drapes. They are inexpensive, environmentally friendly, and ideal for summer. In order to keep the house cool without an air conditioner, they are utilised as blinds over windows and balconies. Additionally, they have a nice scent that permeates the air.
The movement of air from one side of the room to the other, or to the same side, is known as cross-ventilation. It lets fresh air to circulate throughout the building and allows the static hot air to be replenished. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, it would be more effective to employ smaller window openings to bring in fresh air and wider openings to let out stale air. This improves the cooling effect and raises airspeed. To keep the house cool without air conditioning, there are several forms of ventilation, such as from the roof, the other side, or even from the same side.
The false ceilings are suspended on a metal structure composed of lightweight materials such as gypsum, plywood, plaster of Paris, and wood, a few inches below the ceiling. In extremely hot weather, the air in the space between the two ceiling layers—a poor heat conductor—helps keep the home cool. Additionally, if the fake ceiling's material is thermally insulating, it will lower interior temperatures by absorbing more heat. The artificial ceiling serves as insulation and adds a contemporary appearance. Consequently, it also aids in lowering power costs.
Insulation is a thin layer of material or a hollow designed to lessen the effects of the outside environment. Material for thermal insulation might be installed beneath the fake ceiling, over the slab, or both. This significantly lowers the peak heat. In a house, a hollow wall serves as thermal insulation as well.
On building rooftops and terraces, heat-reflective paint is used as a heat-insulating layer. These paints create a layer that reflects sunlight off of the roof or terrace. When applied, it lowers the temperature of the slab or roof, which in turn lowers the room temperature and keeps the house cool during intense heat waves. They are costly and referred to as high-albedo paints. In their study on passive cooling methods using radiative and reflecting roofs, architectural scholars Al-Obaidi K.M et al. noted that these approaches might cut the requirement for space cooling in tropical nations by anywhere from 20% to 70%.
The hue white is said to reflect heat and light the best. Therefore, the terrace's white lime wash serves as a reflecting coating. It aids in keeping the area cool all summer long. Rainwater washes this away, so it needs to be redone every monsoon. That being said, compared to high-albedo paints, they are less expensive. It's also among the first methods for cooling a house without air conditioning.
The choice of colours may have an impact on a home's temperature as well. Thus, the hues you pick for your home have a big impact on how cool your property stays without air conditioning. The inside of the house's dark-colored walls and furnishings may also contribute to heat absorption. Therefore, it is advised to wear light hues to defend against heat. White external walls absorb less heat than dark-colored walls, according to the National Renewable Energy Lab.
Subterranean spaces, such as basements, typically maintain a cool temperature during the summer. Makeover your basement, if you're fortunate enough to have one, into a fun space where you can spend time during the day. To achieve it, clear out any extraneous items, put in some furniture, lay some rugs, and add entertainment. This will still provide you a wonderful summer escape, even if it's not as well furnished or decorated as the rest of your house.
During the day, the outdoor temperature is often hot. When it's hot outdoors during the day, keep the doors and windows closed. However, open the window as soon as the outside temperature starts to decrease. You can install uPVC windows and doors which are a more comfortable and weather-friendly option than other traditional counterparts.
Learn more about uPVC doors and windows
Even without AC, it is possible to keep the home cool in summer. There are a few simple ways to maintain a cool home. Additionally, when it's hot, close the drapes or blinds. It is best to wait till it gets cooler before opening the windows. Films can be used to insulate windows. Use dehumidifiers or exhausts in rooms without windows to lower the humidity. Also, you may maximise your fan base. Additionally, you may insulate your attic and employ vents. To shade a house, one may also employ plants or trees. When not in use, turn off or disconnect any superfluous appliances. You must declutter your space. For interior walls, go with a softer hue. In addition to adding beauty, a terrace garden will help cool the air. Before summer officially arrives, please apply white lime washes on your deck.
