These days in Spain, we are in the middle of a heat wave and this is causing the temperatures to reach over 40ºC, which makes being in our house unbearable, especially during the hottest hours. To avoid feeling like we are inside an oven in our own home, we can follow a number of tricks to cool it without having to resort to air conditioning, either because we do not have these appliances or because we want to prevent our electricity bill from increasing significantly.
Lower the blinds and close the curtains to cool the house
The first basic rule is to lower the blinds and draw the curtains during the day and keep them open during the night, so that the sun’s rays do not penetrate the interior of the house. However, we must leave the windows open for air to circulate between the rooms, for which we must also leave the doors of the rooms open.
At night we will be able to raise the blinds and open the curtains, so that the “fresh” air of the morning cools the house.
Keeping the house “dark” during the day will allow the indoor temperature to drop between 5 and 7 degrees, compared to the outside.
Turn on appliances that make the air in the house circulate
Against all odds, we’re not talking about fans. Although these do cool us if we stand right in front of them, they do not cool the air; they only move the hot air. Therefore, fans do not cause the temperature of the house to drop, but simply push the air.
However, there are devices very similar to fans, called “air purifiers”, which, as the name suggests, release jets of air that spread through the room by means of blades and generate a constant circulation of current, able to cool a room up to 4oC.
Other devices known as “evaporation systems” have also come into vogue in recent years. These contain a container to store up to two litres of water that evaporates with the help of a fan that drives the evaporated water upwards. They are able to cool a room up to 8oC.
Avoid heat sources so that the air in the house is colder
Electronics consume more energy and generate more heat than we can imagine. Therefore, the more appliances we have on, the more the room will heat up.
Lowering blinds and curtains, avoiding the use of appliances such as the oven or placing plants near windows are some of the tricks to cool the house
We should try to keep them off as much as possible, especially those that generate more heat, such as the oven, the hob, the dryer, the iron, the hair dryer or the light bulbs, especially if they are not LEDs. If we have to use them it is preferable to do so during the coolest hours.
If we are using the oven or the hob, we must turn on the extractor hood, because in addition to deter the smell of food, it will absorb the hot air generated by these appliances.
Fill the house with plants that lower the temperature
Did you know that some plants are able to lower the temperature? Not only do they purify the air and generate oxygen, but they are also able to reduce heat. The five that have the most cooling capacity are: aloe vera, ficus, areca palm, poto and sansevieria.
Ideally, they should be placed together and close to the windows, as if they were a wall, so that, in addition to creating shade, they lower the temperature, through transpiration, by which the water evaporates from their leaves when absorbing the sun’s rays.
Thanks to all these tips we will be able to enjoy the summer without the high temperatures becoming unbearable inside the home and also save on the electricity bill.
Finally, we leave you with a selection of properties that you will find available on our website.
1. Exclusive luxury farmhouse in the middle of nature
You feel as if you live in the middle of the forest and in a luxury house with all the comforts. And only 45kms from the center of Barcelona and 1kms from the village of Bruc with all services.
Completely renovated with an architecture, decoration and style defined as typical Catalan farmhouse of the XVIII century. It has an impressive infinity pool from where you can contemplate the nature around the estate. In addition, it has a chillout space with an outdoor gas stove that creates a climate of exceptional warmth.
- 6 bedrooms
- 3 bathrooms
- 500 m2
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Two-storey villa of more than 225m2 on a plot of 875m2 with large garden with water well to supply with automatic irrigation the lawn and fruit trees. With 2 beautiful porches to enjoy nice meals outdoors.
- 3 bedrooms
- 2 bathrooms
- 225 m2
