Chill Out: Eco-Wise Ways to Keep Your House Cool Naturally
Your home can help you beat the heat without the need for costly air-conditioning
Liz Durnan
17 February 2017
Houzz Australia Contributor. Previously a freelance writer and editor at a variety of magazines and websites in London, New York and Sydney. Now I live in the Blue Mountains bush in a strawbale house that we built from scratch. I write about my passions – mainly books and sustainable housing – while writing a book and attempting a permaculture garden.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Previously a freelance writer and editor at a variety... More
It’s shaping up to be the hottest February on record, so I’m thanking the heavens that I live in one of Australia’s cooler areas – on top of NSW’s Blue Mountains. I’m also thanking the ceiling fans that are quietly whirring above me, the thick strawbale walls, and the high windows that I’ll open later to create some evening cross breezes. But I can’t help thinking about what we could have done differently when we built this house.
There’s so much we can do to harness natural cooling methods for the steamy summer months in this hot country, so how do we best adapt our homes – or build new ones – to prepare for those days when the mercury’s pushing 40? Much depends on the local climate of course; some solutions that work for the hot and humid top end might not work for southern states. But one thing’s for sure – the more we can maximise natural cooling, the more comfortable we’ll feel and the lower the bills will be in the long term.
There’s so much we can do to harness natural cooling methods for the steamy summer months in this hot country, so how do we best adapt our homes – or build new ones – to prepare for those days when the mercury’s pushing 40? Much depends on the local climate of course; some solutions that work for the hot and humid top end might not work for southern states. But one thing’s for sure – the more we can maximise natural cooling, the more comfortable we’ll feel and the lower the bills will be in the long term.
Create shade
Keep the heat at bay by creating shading around the house, especially around west- and north-facing windows. Removable shades, such as the one pictured, mean that for those in temperate climates, you have the flexibility to remove the shade in winter.
Keep the heat at bay by creating shading around the house, especially around west- and north-facing windows. Removable shades, such as the one pictured, mean that for those in temperate climates, you have the flexibility to remove the shade in winter.
Or, for the same purpose – sun in winter, block-out in summer – plant deciduous vines on pergolas and create cool zones around the house. This will reduce the heat inside the home on hot summer days, but when the leaves drop in winter, light and warmth will be allowed inside.
Going green: what it actually means
Going green: what it actually means
Improve your eaves
Ensure your eaves are the right size and angled to keep the high summer sun at bay and allow winter sun through.
Ensure your eaves are the right size and angled to keep the high summer sun at bay and allow winter sun through.
Let it in/shut it out
Learn to control temperatures by simply knowing when to open up your house for maximum air flow. On hot summer days, get into the habit of shutting up during the day – all doors, blinds, curtains – and then opening everything up in the evening to vent the house with evening breezes.
Learn to control temperatures by simply knowing when to open up your house for maximum air flow. On hot summer days, get into the habit of shutting up during the day – all doors, blinds, curtains – and then opening everything up in the evening to vent the house with evening breezes.
Create flow
If renovating or building, carefully plan glazing for maximum air movement. Operable clerestory windows, especially placed on the southern side of the home, can be a wonderful way to create refreshing cross breezes – remember hot air rises.
If renovating or building, carefully plan glazing for maximum air movement. Operable clerestory windows, especially placed on the southern side of the home, can be a wonderful way to create refreshing cross breezes – remember hot air rises.
Go for glazing
And of course, if the budget permits, double glazing will help to keep your house even cooler.
Check the rating of any windows you buy – Australian windows are rated for thermal efficiency by the Window Energy Rating Scheme (WERS).
See more stunning staircases
And of course, if the budget permits, double glazing will help to keep your house even cooler.
Check the rating of any windows you buy – Australian windows are rated for thermal efficiency by the Window Energy Rating Scheme (WERS).
See more stunning staircases
If your budget or heritage restrictions mean you can’t change older windows, consider alternatives to double glazing – older windows can be retrofitted with films that will act as an extra barrier against the elements, without ruining the look of your windows.
Also remember that the choice of frame will affect temperatures too. Timber and PVC frames can offer great thermal protection, but aluminium windows (often less expensive) are now available with improved thermal performance.
Treat windows well
How you cover your windows will also play a part in keeping your house cool. Opt for natural fibres and consider full blackout backings on curtains, as well as a sheer layer for temperature control.
How you cover your windows will also play a part in keeping your house cool. Opt for natural fibres and consider full blackout backings on curtains, as well as a sheer layer for temperature control.
If blinds are more your thing than curtains, then choose carefully for full solar block-out.
Alternatively, consider screens and blinds on the exterior of the windows. This can be a highly effective way to keep the heat at bay.
Think thermal mass
If possible, create areas of thermal mass in your home for no-cost cooling (after it’s installed of course). Thermal mass is any material – such as concrete or stone – that can absorb and store heat, taking a long time to heat up and to cool down. So in warm weather, thermal mass can help maintain a building’s cool.
Read more about thermal mass
If possible, create areas of thermal mass in your home for no-cost cooling (after it’s installed of course). Thermal mass is any material – such as concrete or stone – that can absorb and store heat, taking a long time to heat up and to cool down. So in warm weather, thermal mass can help maintain a building’s cool.
Read more about thermal mass
Brick walls and concrete slab floors are good examples of thermal mass.
Be fan savvy
There are so many reasons to love ceiling fans – they now come in all shapes and sizes so they can look great, but mostly because they provide cooling at a fraction of the cost of other cooling methods.
How to choose a ceiling fan
There are so many reasons to love ceiling fans – they now come in all shapes and sizes so they can look great, but mostly because they provide cooling at a fraction of the cost of other cooling methods.
How to choose a ceiling fan
Insulate well
When we think of insulation we often thinking of keeping the warmth in and cold at bay, but of course it works the other way around too. Good insulation is one of the most effective ways we can keep our homes cool, and this isn’t something that only applies to new homes and renovations – older and existing homes can benefit from retrofitting with good insulation.
Check the insulation levels in your home and talk to a specialist about upgrading. For builders or renovators, ensure the best insulation from the start. It’s likely that any extra costs will be recouped in savings over time.
When we think of insulation we often thinking of keeping the warmth in and cold at bay, but of course it works the other way around too. Good insulation is one of the most effective ways we can keep our homes cool, and this isn’t something that only applies to new homes and renovations – older and existing homes can benefit from retrofitting with good insulation.
Check the insulation levels in your home and talk to a specialist about upgrading. For builders or renovators, ensure the best insulation from the start. It’s likely that any extra costs will be recouped in savings over time.
Insulation isn’t just about what’s between the walls – it’s in our floors and ceilings too, and even the colour of your roof can affect how cool your house is. Opt for lighter colours to keep temperatures lower at home.
Tell us
How do you stay cool in summer? Share your tips in the Comments below.
More
Read more stories about living green
Tell us
How do you stay cool in summer? Share your tips in the Comments below.
More
Read more stories about living green
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Great article and highly supportive of low tech cooling solutions, except for one thing - clerestory windows should always face as true to north as possible in Australia. They are designed to allow winter sun in to provide free heat and to purge hot air in summer. Having them face south will only allow heat to enter and leave the building freely, especially when the glass is at the highest point of your room. East and west facing will allow too much summer heat in. Make sure you can open one or more so you can leave them open on cool evenings/nights to allow hot air to rise and escape. They should also be double glazed to minimise heat loss in winter.
Clerestory windows are another thing that looks great, but doesn't work well. In winter the heat (hot air rises) escapes through the windows and in summer the sun can cook the house.
I notice your curtains and blinds start at the ceiling. If they are lower think of pelmets over curtains and blinds to decrease effect of hot or cold glass transferring their extreme temperatures to the rooms.