How to Cool Down a Hot House: Air Conditioner-Free Solutions hat Save Electricity
If your house feels very hot right now, don’t be surprised—it’s summer in Thailand, known for its scorching sun. Stepping outside without sunscreen can make your skin burn! The heat doesn’t just stay outside; it invades our homes too. Even after sunset, houses remain hot at night. The walls still radiate heat. But running the air conditioner all day and night isn’t an option for most of us due to skyrocketing electricity bills. So, here are some cool tips to keep your house cool without relying on air conditioning while saving electricity in the process. Let’s dive in!
1. Reasons why your house is hot
2. How to cool down a hot house
1. Reasons why your house is hot
During this scorching hot season, stepping outside feels like torture. But staying indoors isn’t much better if your house is hot, too. Even with the fan on, you’ll still feel the hot air. There are many reasons why your house may be so hot. Let’s take a look.
1. No trees to block sunlight
Planting trees around your house can significantly reduce the heat inside your home. Trees also help absorb harmful toxins, benefiting your health. However, some people avoid planting trees because they don’t have time to clean up fallen leaves. Instead, they opt for concrete around their home for convenience, which allows hot air to blow into the house and doesn’t provide any shade. Not planting potted plants inside the house also contributes to the heat.
2. Rooms in the wrong direction, making them hot and stuffy
When buying a house or condo, it’s essential to consider the direction to avoid direct sunlight. Most people choose a north-facing direction because it doesn’t get too much sunlight, keeping the rooms cooler. But if you pick a house or room that faces the sun, it will heat up quickly, and the heat may persist even into the night. It’s even worse if there’s no awning or shading from the sun on the south and west sides in the afternoon, as this will allow hot air to flood into the house.
3. Incorrect home extensions
When extending or renovating your home, proper planning is crucial. For example, if your fence is too high and blocks the wind, it won’t allow air to circulate inside. Installing low ceilings can trap heat at lower levels instead of allowing it to rise. Also, extending your house in a way that blocks sunlight and airflow can make your home feel dark and stuffy, increasing the heat.
4. Choosing the wrong furniture for your house
If you choose oversized furniture, it can make the space feel cramped and block airflow, leading to a stuffy and hot environment. Placing heat-absorbing fabric furniture against walls that are exposed to sunlight can make the room feel hot in the evening when the fabric releases stored heat.
5. Overusing electrical appliances
Overusing or improperly using electrical appliances can also contribute to a hot house. For example, incandescent downlights generate more heat than fluorescent bulbs. If your kitchen doesn’t have an exhaust fan or ventilation system, cooking will release heat, smells, and smoke that linger inside the house. Using multiple heat-producing appliances, like air conditioners or electric stoves, simultaneously will also increase the indoor temperature.
6. Heat from the roof
If your roof isn’t properly coated or is made from heat-absorbing materials like metal or tiles, it can become hot, allowing heat to pass through the ceiling and into your living space. This heat builds up during the afternoon, raising the indoor temperature.
7. Dark-colored house paint
House paint acts as a shield against sunlight, helping to reduce the temperature inside. In the past, painting your house in dark colors inside and out would absorb sunlight and artificial light, causing the walls to retain excessive heat.
2. How to cool down a hot house
Here are simple ways to cool your house and keep it comfortable, no matter where you live. Don’t worry about the heat anymore—try these easy methods!
1. Install blackout curtains or UV-blocking curtains
Curtains can block sunlight, reducing the hot air inside your home. Nowadays, you can find curtains that also block UV rays. These curtains are made from fabric that is flexible, breathable, and heat-resistant. Opt for light-colored curtains as they absorb less heat than dark-colored ones.
2. Plant trees inside the house
Planting trees around your house or even growing a small kitchen garden not only adds greenery but also reduces the heat around your home. Trees act as natural air conditioners and also help absorb toxins. There are many types of trees that people like to plant in their homes, depending on what the homeowner likes. However, you must choose a type that is friendly to houses. As for small trees that are popularly planted in pots, people usually choose trees with auspicious meanings, such as yellow palm, variegated pothos, snake plant, aloe vera, sword fern, weeping fig, etc.
3. Switch to LED bulbs
If your house is still using traditional bulbs, it’s time to switch to LED bulbs. Traditional bulbs generate a lot of heat, but LED bulbs emit much less heat, helping to lower the indoor temperature. LED lights are also more comfortable on the eyes, don’t make you feel hot like traditional bulbs, and save on electricity costs. They also have a longer lifespan. Don’t forget to turn off the lights when not in use.
4. Open windows and doors to let in fresh air
During the day (when someone is home for safety), open windows and doors to allow cool breezes to circulate and ventilate the house. At night, you can open the windows before bed to release the heat that has built up during the day. This simple method also saves on electricity.
5. Paint your house in cool tones
Choosing cool-toned paint for your house can help regulate the temperature inside. Popular colors for reducing heat include cool shades like white, pearl, cream, and blue. Using cool-toned colors on the walls and furniture inside your house can also make your home feel fresher.
The cooler your house, the more you’ll save on electricity because you won’t need to rely heavily on air conditioning. Consider these simple methods to keep your house cool, based on your needs and budget. And remember, during this hot season, take care of your health. Don’t forget to carry an umbrella and apply sunscreen before going outside to protect yourself from heat-related illnesses. It’s also wise to boost your confidence with health insurance from Muang Thai Life Insurance. #เพราะชีวิตทุกวัยมันเจ็บป่วย Enjoy life at all ages no matter it’s a common or critical illness. No worries about medical expenses with lump sum health insurance from 200K – 100 million Baht.
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✅ Maochai Extra: For hospitalization, medical expenses up to 500K Baht(5) with premiums less than 42 Baht per day(6).
For more information:
☑️ Call Tel. 1766, available 24/7.
☑️ Contact life insurance agents.
(1) In case of choosing Plan 40 MB, 75 MB or 100 MB
(2) For 50-year-old insured choosing Plan 20 MB with coverage area in Thailand in annual premium payment mode.
(3) In case of choosing Plan 5 MB which is a benefit per any treatment
(4) For female 34-year-old insured choosing Plan 5 MB with deductibles of 30,000 Baht per any hospitalization (topping up existing coverage) in annual premium payment mode.
(5) For Plan 3 which is a benefit per any inpatient hospitalization
(6) For female 34-year-old insured choosing Plan 3 in annual premium payment mode.
- Coverage conditions are as specified in the insurance policy.
- Health riders must be attached to an effective policy.
- Coverage period of the rider must not exceed the coverage period of the life insurance policy that this rider is attached to.
- Premium is eligible for tax deduction. Conditions are as specified by the Revenue Department.
- Conditions are as specified by Muang Thai Life Assurance PCL.
- Underwriting is subject to the Company’s rules.
- Please study details of coverage, conditions and exclusions before making a decision to purchase insurance.
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Sources: data retrieved on 15/03/2024
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