The Insulation Instinct - Using Nature to Heat and Cool Your Home
One thing most of us worry about in the winter and summer months is the exorbitant utility bills we are all hit with. With an increase in usage of heating and cooling in the home, it is no wonder prices soar, leaving us with a massive hole in our pockets. In more recent times, with increased emphasis on not just being cost efficient, but also in trying to be more environmentally friendly, many have been switching to more natural ways to both heat and cool their homes. In this article, we will look at how you can use nature to heat and cool your room, so read on to find out more!
1. Blind As A Bat!
One of the best ways for you to keep your home well insulated is via the installation of blinds. The right set of blinds can be one of the best ways to help insulate your windows and keep your home warm in the colder months. Considering a high amount of heat in your home is lost via the windows, it makes more than perfect sense to install blinds to keep the warmth in. Experts in screen doors in Penrith have shared with us that an increasing number of people are nowadays installing blinds as a cost effective way of insulating their homes. For those looking to do the opposite and cool their homes down, vertical blinds and highly reflective blinds which can keep up to 45% of the heat out of your home - an incredible percentage without having to turn the AC unit on.
2. Seal Doors and Windows
During the warmer months, warmth is going to seep into your home through gaps in your doors and windows. Similarly, in colder months, cool air from outside is going to make its way into your home via these very same gaps. This is why sealing your doors and windows is an absolute necessity when it comes to heating and cooling your home naturally. Weather strips are a fantastic way of sealing your doors and windows, are cost effective and do not require a professional to install. You can easily adhere these strips to the gaps under your doors and in your windows with ease, ensuring your home is kept at your optimal temperature at all times!
3. Too Many Cooks In The Kitchen!
In the warmer months, turning on appliances such as ovens and stoves is a fantastic way to create an unbearable mini heat wave in your home. This is why it is always advised that you use heat emitting appliances as little as possible, to maintain the cool temperature within your home. If you have the option to, fire up the barbecue in your backyard to keep the heat of cooking out of your kitchen and lounge room. Another option is to start getting creative in the kitchen with cold dishes, no-bake desserts and anything that doesn’t require you to slave over the stove for hours.
4. It’s Time To Set Sail!
Have you heard of shade sails? Shade sails are a fantastic installation for your patio or anywhere else) as they keep up to 90% of the sun’s rays out of your home or outdoor area. This is a great option for those who enjoy entertaining outdoors or hosting barbecues in the warmer months. Shade sails can also help to lower the temperature of your space, ensuring you don’t have to turn too many fans on and waste too much electricity. You can even install them in your driveway if you wish! The best part is, when the temperatures start to drop, you can easily uninstall them and keep them in your garage for when the sun comes out again in Summer.
5. Time To Swap Those Sheets
Last but not least, the bedsheets! This is something that may not be the first thought when it comes to heating or cooling your home, but it really should be! When winter hits, it’s best you opt for sheets made of flannel or fleece as they are great insulators and will keep you warm all night long. When the sun is out, it’s time to switch over to more breathable fabrics such as cotton which will keep you feeling much cooler during the night. This may seem like a trivial step to take, but imagine how much money you will be saving if you don’t have to use the AC or a heater for 8 hours a night, every night!
We hope that this article has given you some ideas on how you can use nature to heat and cool your home!