In the Australian summer when temperatures often exceed 30 degrees Celsius, air conditioners are a great way to keep cool. However, they can be expensive to run, which is why many of us bemoan the rising energy bills that come with running a system all day long. They can also be prone to breaking down if not maintained properly.
However, while air conditioning is a popular choice for staying cool, it’s not the only option. Indeed, there are plenty of other ways you can beat the heat without breaking the bank.
In this post, we will take a look at some of the more affordable, and potentially, eco-friendly alternatives you can adopt to stay cool in the summer.
If you take these measures, you shouldn’t suffer too much from the debilitating effects of the high humidity and mercury.
Air Conditioning System
Before looking at the alternative ways to keep cool, it is worth noting that none of them are as effective as air conditioning.
While you should pick as energy efficient system as you can afford, often the high energy costs are as a result of them not being cleaned or looked after properly.
To ensure your system operates as efficiently and economically as possible, you should regularly change filters and be aware of leaks, bad smells and strange noises coming from your system.
If you need them, for air con repair, check out Alliance Climate Control or another company with a similarly good standing.
Affordable Alternatives to Air Conditioning
If you want to keep your energy costs down or if you are waiting for your system to be repaired, here are some affordable alternatives to air conditioning you can adopt.
1. Ceiling and Portable Fans
Probably the easiest and most cost-effective alternative way to stay cool in the Australian summer is by using fans.
Ceiling fans are great at circulating air throughout a room, which quickly makes them feel cooler, even if the temperature doesn’t drop. The rapidly moving air causes sweat to evaporate on your skin, which ends up cooling your body down.
If you don’t have ceiling fans, stand up pedestal-mounted fans can work well too, as you can point their air flow directly on yourself. Table fans can also be a useful way to provide relief whilst you are working.
Generally speaking, fans use much less in the way of energy than air conditioners, so they are a budget-friendly choice. They can also operate at various speeds and deliver genuine comfort, which is why they are a very good back up and surrogate to air conditioning system.
2. Block Out the Sun
If the sun’s rays are flooding into your home it can quickly turn it into a sauna. Therefore, to prevent this from happening, it is a good idea to invest in blackout curtains or shades that will block the heat from entering into your rooms.
It is important to keep your curtains closed during the hottest part of the day to keep the sun out, as this will significantly lower the temperature within it.
However, should you not want to sacrifice natural light, another good option is to use Tuiss Blinds Online, which does just as good a job at reducing the heat levels.
3. Strategically Ventilate
If you don’t want to rely on an air conditioning system to keep cool, then good ventilation in your home is vitally important.
In the evening, when the mercury drops, open all your windows (and if appropriate, doors) to let as much cool air in as you can. Just make sure, when the morning comes around, you close the windows and blinds to trap the cool air inside.
To improve your ventilation potential, it is a good idea to add more windows to your property. You should also consider using exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom, as this will go a long way towards removing humidity and hot air from your home, and therefore lower its temperature.
4. Seal the Gaps
Gaps in your doors and windows can let a lot of hot air into your home, and crucially, cool air out of it.
So, it is important to seal these gaps with weather stripping or caulk, as this will go a long way towards keeping your home cooler and reducing the need for an air conditioning system to be used.
Aside from keeping the temperature at more pleasant levels, doing this can also improve your home’s overall energy efficiency throughout the year. Therefore, this simple measure has the added benefit of saving you a tidy sum of money.
5. Plant Trees and Vines
If you are wanting to implement a longer-term solution, you should consider planting trees or vines around the exterior of your home.
The shade from trees can notably reduce the temperature inside your property, while vines growing on a trellis can help to cool down your walls and windows. The great thing about this natural cooling method is that it is not only effective but also adds beauty to your garden, provides you with more privacy and improves your curb appeal.
As an alternative to trees, you can use various types of shading. Check out this site for more information.
