As we head into mid-January and the temperature rapidly rises, we are all tempted to turn on the air conditioning unit to cool our houses. However, as global warming levels and power bills are increasing, Kiwis must conserve energy, so we felt obliged to do our part and develop innovative ways to keep ourselves and our homes cool this summer.
Dress smart
Cotton comes as the most highly recommended fabric to wear over those hot summer months. While we sweat to keep our bodies cool, cotton works to absorb this sweat and keep your body dry. It is also a breathable material, allowing air to circulate, further reducing body temperature. Cotton bed sheets are also useful in this capacity for those unbearable humid nights.
Stay Hydrated
It may seem obvious, but the benefits of staying hydrated should not be overlooked. Signs of dehydration include irritated skin, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, muscle cramps, etc. If you experience any of these, make sure you are drinking enough water to keep your body hydrated.
On sweltering days, experts recommend avoiding alcohol, sugary drinks and caffeine as their ingredients further dehydrate your body.
Decorate with Houseplants
If you are already a plant lover, then we have some good news for you! Your indoor plants are helping to cool down your house, and you didn’t even realise it. House plants like the Ficus Elastica (Rubber Plant) effectively improve the room’s humidity by replenishing the air’s moisture. The more foliage and the bigger the leaves, the better giving it more opportunity to release excess water to cool the atmosphere around them.
Other great cooling houseplants include Ficus benjamina (Weeping fig), Chinese Evergreen, and Bamboo palm.
Close Your Blinds
While it may seem strange close your blinds on a beautiful sunny day, keeping out direct sunlight can minimise unwanted indoor heat.
The most effective sun blinds are sunscreen roller blinds, explicitly designed for the hot New Zealand summer. They can reduce UV heat by up to 97% while still allowing soft light to enter the room. Venetian blinds are also useful in regulating room temperature, as they block our harsh sunlight while allowing the flow of cool air.
DIY Air Conditioning
Utilise that Kiwi ingenuity and build a DIY air conditioning unit. Our personal favourite is the combined use of a fan and a bowl of ice. Place the bowl full of ice in front of your fan and let the air run through, cooling as it does. Just be careful to place the bowl far enough away that the melting ice won’t interfere with the fan’s electrics.
Look After Your Neighbours
As we talk about the importance of keeping cool this summer, we implore you to look after one another. Check in on your elderly neighbours or those with concerns as they may find it more difficult to cope with the heat. After all, it is cool to be kind!
We wish you a happy and cool summer!
If you are interested in finding out more about some great blind options for the summer, shop our range online today!