While Scotland might be more famous for its mist and mountains than its scorching heat, the summer months can still bring uncomfortable heatwaves. When the temperature rises, keeping your home cool—whether it’s a traditional tenement flat or a modern house—can be a challenge.
As your property factor, we’re not just here for the maintenance; we’re here to help you make your home as comfortable as possible. Here are ten practical and energy-efficient ways to keep your property cool and beat the summer heat.
1. Strategic Use of Blinds and Curtains The simplest defence is to block out the sun’s rays. During the hottest part of the day (usually 11 am to 3 pm), keep blinds and curtains closed, especially on south-facing windows. Lighter-coloured curtains or thermal-lined blackout blinds are particularly effective at reflecting heat away from the room.
2. Master Cross-Ventilation Create a natural breeze by strategically opening windows. For the best effect, open windows on opposite sides of your home. This allows cooler air to enter from one side and push the warmer indoor air out the other. The best time to do this is in the early morning and late evening when the outside air temperature is lowest.
3. Be Smart with Your Appliances Ovens, tumble dryers, and even dishwashers generate a significant amount of heat. Try to use them during the cooler hours of the day, or opt for alternatives. This is the perfect season for salads, sandwiches, or using the BBQ if you have outdoor space.
4. Power Down Electronics Many of our electronic devices, from TVs to computers, generate heat even when on standby. Get into the habit of switching them off at the wall when not in use. It’s a small change that reduces ambient heat and saves on your electricity bill.
5. Use Fans Wisely A fan doesn’t cool the air in a room, it cools you by creating a wind-chill effect. To maximise this, place a bowl of ice or a few frozen water bottles in front of your fan. As the ice melts, the fan will circulate a much cooler mist around the room.
6. Switch to LED Lighting Traditional incandescent and halogen bulbs are inefficient and produce a lot of heat. Switching to LED bulbs is a smart move year-round. They use far less energy and run much cooler, contributing less to the overall temperature of a room.
7. Check Your Insulation This might seem like a tip for winter, but good quality insulation works both ways. Just as it keeps heat in during the colder months, it’s also highly effective at keeping heat out during the summer. A well-insulated home is more stable and easier to keep cool.
8. Close Off Unused Rooms If you have rooms you’re not using during the day, keep the doors closed. This contains the cool air in the areas of the house you’re actually using, making it feel more comfortable without having to cool the entire property.
9. Consider Reflective Window Film For a more permanent solution, you can apply a reflective window film to your glass. This film is designed to block a significant amount of the sun’s UV rays and heat without completely blocking the light. It’s a particularly good option for rooms that get a lot of direct sun.
10. Embrace Cooler Surfaces If you have hard floors like wood, laminate, or tile, now is the time to enjoy them. Roll up heavy rugs for the summer to allow heat to dissipate through the floor.
By using a few of these simple tricks, you can create a more comfortable and pleasant environment in your home, even when a Scottish heatwave strikes!
