10 Clever Ways To Stay Cool

With these cost- and energy-efficient cooling solutions, beating the summer heat is a breeze, writes Georgia Madden.

1 Make a splash

Nothing beats the feeling of diving into cool water on a hot day. With many of us moving to smaller blocks, compact pools are coming to the fore, says

Brett Robinson, creative director of landscapearchitecture firm Acre. “Plunge pools are popular and we are seeing more above-ground pools, which minimises pool fencing*.” (The one shown here is from Australian Plunge Pools.)

Don’t have the budget for a pool? Consider an outdoor shower. “Homeowners are choosing styles with soft curves and neutral finishes that emulate day spas,” says Reece Bathrooms’ Daniela Santilli.

2 Flick the switch wisely When it’s a real scorcher outside, turning the aircon on is one way to provide relief. But there are several things you can do to keep running costs down.

“Close doors so you’re only cooling the rooms you’re using, and shade the windows,” says Dr Robert Simpson, energy-efficiency specialist at Ausgrid. “Set the aircon between 23˚C and 26˚C – each degree of extra cooling can add 10 per cent to your running costs.”

You can help the machine run more efficiently by shading the outdoor unit and keeping filters clean. “Regularly cleaning and servicing can help reduce your energy bills by up to 30 per cent,” says Andrew Foard, seasonal buyer at The Good Guys. 3 Time appliance usage right “On hot summer days, avoid using appliances that generate a lot of additional waste heat

– the oven, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer and inefficient lighting, such as incandescent and halogen downlights,” advises Ausgrid’s Dr Simpson.

Opt for a barbecue over a roast dinner and put your laundry on at night instead. That way, you can take advantage of off-peak power rates, too. 4 Nurture nature Indoor plants not only beautify your interior, some species can help bring down the temperature, too.

“Many indoor plants are excellent natural coolants, such as aloe vera, snake plant, willow-leaf fig ( Ficus

neriifolia) and rhapis palm [pictured right],” says

Mark Paul, horticulturalist and director of The Greenwall Company.

They work by absorbing warm air and releasing oxygen and cool moisture into the environment through the transpiration process. 5 KEEP THE AIR MOVING The humble ceiling fan can be surprisingly effective when it’s sweltering. “The perceived cooling effect can be as much as 6˚C,” says Travis Simpson, sales director at Big Ass Fans (above).

“Rather than changing the air temperature, ceiling fans make use of evaporation to help you feel cooler,” says Denise Hammond, product knowledge specialist at Beacon Lighting.

“As you perspire, fans move the air across your skin, increasing the rate of evaporation.”

Ceiling fans are very affordable, too: some of the latest models cost less than one cent per hour to run. For the best value, look for those with multi-speed settings. >

6 CLOSE YOUR BLINDS “Households typically spend 41 per cent of their energy expenditure managing the temperature of their homes. Having the right internal and external window coverings can bring this bill down by up to 60 per cent,” according to Jenny Brown, national marketing manager for Luxaflex Window Fashions.

“You will get maximum energy savings if you have the right product both inside and outside,” she says, “which means an external barrier such as an awning that stops the heat from hitting your windows and an internal window covering for insulation.”

7 Choose lighter linens

Dressing your bed in natural materials increases your chances of getting a decent night’s sleep, especially in a heatwave, says Jo Jaggs, general manager of design at Sheridan. “Natural fibres are breathable,” she explains. “Pure cotton or linen are ideal – lightweight yet insulating, they will help keep you comfortable, even on the warmest summer evening.”

8 Love your lawn

“A grass surface acts just like an exterior air conditioner, and on a 40˚C day can be up to 30 degrees cooler to touch than a timber deck and up to 40 degrees cooler than artificial turf,” says Joe Rogers, technical manager at Lawn Solutions Australia.

“Generally, the wider the leaf the better the cooling effect,” he adds. “For maximum cooling, choose a grass variety with dense foliage and a higher mowing height, such as buffalo.” 9 Build smart

If you’re building or renovating, now is the time to implement strategies to reduce your reliance on artificial cooling.

“A well-designed home will use features such as insulation, aspect and shading to prevent heat entering and reduce energy bills,” says Dr Simpson. “Insulation can keep a house seven degrees cooler in summer and reduce energy costs by up to a third. Insulating your ceiling and roof are the most important.”

Incorporating ceiling vents to expel hot air from the roof cavity will also help, adds Kim Runje, building supplies manager at Bunnings. Position your doors and windows where they will take advantage of cooling breezes, and consider double- or triple-glazed windows in well-sealed frames to even out temperatures. 10 Shade your windows “The key to keeping your home cool in summer is to prevent heat from entering in the first place,” says Dr Simpson. “Up to a third of summer heat gain comes through the windows. Shading them from the outside with well-designed eaves, pergolas, verandahs, external blinds or awnings is a good solution.”

Smart planting will help as well. “The northern and western sides of your house get the most light and heat during the day, so focus on those areas when choosing plants and trees for shading and cooling,” says Dr Simpson. “Deciduous trees are great for summer shading and, as they lose their leaves in winter, won’t block your winter sun.” #