Keep your old apartment cool in summer with these four tips
Keep your old apartment cool in summer with these four tips
Warm summer days and bright sunshine – that’s what many people want all winter long. But when summer finally arrives, the heat can quickly become a problem, even in old apartments. But there is another way: with the following tips, you can keep your own four walls pleasantly cool even without electricity-guzzling air conditioning.
Tip 1: Don’t open the windows
The impulse to open the windows on warm summer days to let in at least a little breeze is all too understandable. However, this achieves the exact opposite, as even more warm air enters the home. Instead, it is advisable to only ventilate early in the morning, when the air is still fresh and cool, or late in the evening. To reduce solar radiation, the home should be darkened from the outside with shutters or blinds during the day. Opaque curtains have a similar effect. Blinds with a light-colored outer side are particularly recommended, as they reflect the sun’s rays.
Tip 2: Pull the plug more often
A logical approach, but one that is not always immediately thought of: Switch off electrical appliances such as televisions or computers when they are not needed. This is because such heat-generating appliances can also heat up the room in stand-by mode. Disconnecting them from the power grid also reduces electricity costs.
Tip 3: Air humidification – low-tech or high-tech
Damp cloths are also an effective method of reducing the room temperature. Hanging damp sheets or towels in front of an open window ensures that the water evaporates as it dries, reducing the temperature in the room. If you prefer something more technical, you can buy a combination device that cools, cleans and humidifies the air.
Tip 4: Green fingers also pay off when it comes to heat
Plants are not only a decorative style element, they also cool your own four walls. Similar to damp sheets, plants evaporate water to filter out nutrients. Trees and shrubs in front of the building can also alleviate the heat in the home, as their leaves can insulate the sun’s rays.
As with so many things, it is the sum of the details that makes the big difference. While proper ventilation or a damp sheet alone do not have much effect, the combined effect is considerable. But of course, at the height of summer, even in a well-tempered apartment, it is only half as nice as on a shady terrace or by a lake.
About Fortis
Fortis was founded in 2013 by experienced real estate market participants. Our focus is on the development of residential real estate in central locations in Berlin and Potsdam.