With summer just around the corner and the experts stating that we will feel the affects of La Niña, there’s no better conversation to have then how to keep your Torquay homes cool this summer using cost effective and environmentally friendly methods. Here are some green ways to keep your home cool:

1. Ceiling fans: Ceiling fans use much less energy than air conditioners and can helpcirculate air, creating a cooling effect. If fan noise has been the reason that has turned you off installing them, then the introduction of fans with a DC motor may just change your mind. Also make sure your ceiling fans are set to rotate counterclockwise in the summer to push cool air downward (this switch is usually located on the steam of the ceiling fan).
2. Avoid incandescent lights: Incandescent light bulbs generate a lot of heat. Switch to energy-efficient LED bulbs, which produce less heat and use less energy.
3. White goods usage: Avoid using heat element appliances like stoves and ovens during the hottest parts of the day. Instead cook outside to avoid generating heat indoors from cooking appliances.
4. Night cooling: If Air conditioning is necessary then using them at night when the outdoor temperature drops will be the most eco friendly. The outdoor compressor will not need to work as hard due to lower air temperatures. This can help lower the indoor temperature before the next day’s heat sets in.
5. New technology: Using smart thermostats can allow you to set heating and cooling parameters that adjust your home’s temperature accordingly, helping you save energy.
6. Natural ventilation: Usually in Torquay we get an afternoon breeze coming for the south. Using cross-ventilation by opening windows on opposite sides of your home to create a cooling breeze naturally.
7. Insulation: Making sure that your home is properly insulated. Insulation prevents room temperatures rising and can slow the affects of hotter days.

Adopting some of these strategies can make for a more comfortable Torquay summer with an added bonus of reducing your carbon foot print and may leave a few dollars in the back pocket.