According to the Malaysian meteorological department, the current hot weather is expected to last until mid-September owing to the southwest monsoon, resulting in a hot and dry climate.
While the air-conditioner is the go-to for most people to cope with the heat, extended use results in high electricity bills and adds to your carbon footprint.
To keep yourself cool, try these tips; to keep your home comfortable in the heat, give the following suggestions a try.
1. Replace bulbs with LEDs
All electronic equipment emanates heat, which contributes to the temperature of a room. Compared with traditional incandescent bulbs, LED bulbs consume a lot less electricity, generate less heat, and are much more energy-efficient.
Hence, to cool down your room, small shifts such as switching to LED bulbs can have a positive impact while also reducing your electricity bill.
2. Install blinds or blackout curtains
Sunlight streaming through the windows will increase the temperature of a room, especially if you have large windows. Blinds and blackout curtains are one of the most effective ways to block direct sunlight from heating up the air in your home.
If you are heading out for the day, do not forget to draw the curtains before you leave so that you can return to a cool house.
3. Stick tint film on windows
Tint films are another option for reducing the sunlight in your home while preserving natural light. Stick them up on your windows and you will have a much cooler home as these films reflect and deflect heat.
There are also options that protect against UV rays.
4. Create a water feature
A water feature in the house not only acts as a natural and energy-efficient cooling system, but also creates a soothing and peaceful ambiance.
Water adds humidity to the space, improving air quality while cooling the air in the area where it is placed.
5. Wipe your fan(s) regularly
The thick layer of dust on your fan blades affects its efficiency. Having to climb and reach for the ceiling fan might be tedious, but neglecting it would affect the cleanliness of the living space, and cause the fan to require more energy to run.
This also applies to table fans that can accumulate dust and grime over time. Start dusting your fans on a regular basis and see the difference!