Keeping Your Home Cool and Comfortable During the Hot UAE Summer

The UAE summer sun is a force to be reckoned with. Scorching temperatures and relentless sunshine can turn your home into more of a sauna than a sanctuary. But there are some easy (and cheap) ways to keep your villa or apartment cool - without always reaching for the AC remote.Try our AC tips for summer and see how small changes can lead to big impacts.

Throw Shade

You can cut your heat gain at home pretty much by half with some tactical sun control.

Window Coverings: White curtains, blinds, or reflective film will serve to reject almost all the sunlight in the room and make it cooler. If you like things light when you’re at home, even a sheer window covering will help, while if you’re heading out and about close your curtains at home to block the sun's rays. You’ll return to a cooler space, without needing to leave the AC on.

Embrace Outdoor Shading: Awnings, canopies, or even clever planting can help shade windows and patios and can effectively prevent your home exterior from getting direct sunbeams. Think about how you can create a cool relaxing space on your balcony or terrace so you can enjoy the outdoors without the searing sun.

Harness the Power of Natural Ventilation

While the hot desert winds might seem counterintuitive, strategic ventilation can actually cool your home naturally. The key is to take advantage of cooler night air and minimize heat sources during the day.

Nighttime Ventilation: If you want to conserve AC use, try opening the windows and doors widely at night so that cool air can flow freely in the house. You can also try using the fan only feature on the AC to further increase the air circulation and make the room more relaxing.

Cross Ventilation: Generate a natural cooling current by opening windows and doors at opposite sides of your house. Experiment to identify which windows offer maximum airflow potential for your particular room layout

Develop Heat-Conscious Habits

Small adjustments to your daily routine can make a big difference in keeping your home cool in summer.

Adjust Cooking Habits: A hot oven leads to a hot kitchen. Opt for lighter meals, try grilling outdoors or use countertop appliances that generate less heat.

Shorter Showers: Spending a long time in a hot shower will increase the humidity in your house, and make it feel warmer. Keep showers short and cool and see for yourself the difference it makes.

Unplug Unused Electronics: Electronics generate heat, even on standby mode. Unplug unused electronics and chargers to minimize heat generation. This also helps reduce your energy consumption and save on electricity bills.

While summer always signals an increase in energy bills and cooling consumption - it’s important to avoid over-cooling. The aim is not to cool your home 24/7, but to make sure your home always feels cool and comfortable. Try our AC tips for summer, and see how small changes can make a big impact on your energy bill and its environmental impact. And don’t forget a well maintained AC, is an efficient AC, so get it serviced and summer-ready in advance,