Summer is all about sunsets and palm trees. Apart from planning your summer vacations and revamping your wardrobe to stay away from the scorching sun, it is also important to prepare your home for the immense heat wave which is going to take over. Installing an air conditioner might sound like a good option, but it is not environmental friendly. It can also cause adverse effects on your health and be heavy on your pocket too.
However, there are many natural ways to prepare your home for the scorching heat. Let’s look into some simple home maintenance tasks will help you beat the heat and keep your home cool during this sunny season.
Roofs
Roofs are your first line of defence against the outside heat. Try keeping the temperature down the holistic way and make your home summer ready by painting your terrace or roof white. This gives your home a fresh look and keeps the heat at bay.
Windows & Doors
Lubricate locks, doors, sliding glass doors and window casings as they tend to expand during summer. It is a good option to keep your curtains closed during the afternoon hours when the sun is at its peak. This will keep the heat from entering your home. If you do not want to keep the bright sunshine from lighting up your home, you can get the best of both worlds by using light breezy chiffon curtains and placing fresh indoor plants right in front of the window. This trick lightens up the house but keeps the heat away. You can also add an elaborate panel of mirrors to your walls to reflect the light but not the heat.
Also, double check if your home is safe from ant invasions. Rotten doors and window sills are easy points of access for pests. Make sure to seal any open areas and check for any faults in weather proofing. This ensures that the summer heat remains outside where it belongs.
Inspect your cooling devices
Ensure that your ceiling fan is whirring smoothly. One additional thing you could do is adjust the fan’s settings to make them run counter clockwise. This makes your ceiling fans more efficient by pulling the air up and out. Your best bet is to call up a professional for the servicing. It is also a better option to clean all exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms to ensure smooth air flow.
Don’t let things get too heated up
Get your heater’s pressure tank valve checked. After being overused in the winter months, the heat valves of your heater tend to get blocked. This is very hazardous and even poses the risk of blowing up. Utilise your summer months to test the valve and get it cleaned to avoid any last-minute repairs. Also, get all your power outlets, cords and circuits checked out. The additional load summer is going to exert on your wirings may just be enough for it to go kaput. Also, replace all the outlet covers that are broken. Outlets exposed too long to the harsh sun might result in it catching on fire.
Work on your interiors
Add some radiant colours to your living room to complement the bright sunshine. Paint your walls in calm and soothing pastel colours to add a fresh twist to your home décor. If painting is too much of a change, you can add subtle-coloured cushions to your living room couch or even pastel shaded décor items like a vase or a photo frame. Pack carpets and rugs away as they tend to absorb heat. Instead, you can keep the floor clean and empty so they can reflect more light and act as a cooling agent to bare feet. You can check out our Home Décor Trends for 2017 to get some inspiration.
Outdoor TLC
The space beyond your four walls requires some attention too. Here are some outdoor elements you can take care of this season to make your home summer friendly:
Beautify your balcony or patio to create a cosy outdoor space for your evening coffee. Deck this outdoor seating area with hanging pots, easy to maintain ferns and other exotic plants. You can also add a hammock or a patio swing to create a snug place of your own to relax and unwind in the evenings, when the city tends to cool off. Check out our tips for growing and maintaining a terrace garden for some additional insight.
This summer make your home environment-friendly by checking and repairing any leaks in hoses and faucets. Find your perfect home at Casagrand and sail through the summer with our helpful summer tips.
