Five Ways to Drop Mercury at Your Home without the AC

India’s summer season is known for its notorious life slurping heat-waves. With the temperatures reaching sky high, a lot of us are quick at cranking up the AC. Apart from generating higher electricity bills, ACs not only cause damage to the environment, but they can also cause side effects to your body such as dehydration, dry skin, and fatigue. Here are a few hacks to make your home a cool summer paradise without using the AC.

1) Invest in Summer Friendly Blinds and Curtains

Windows and glass doors let unwanted heat enter your space, and you can lower the temperature vastly by covering them with shades or curtains. Instead of going for dark synthetic drapes that radiate heat, invest in blinds and curtains made of natural materials such as cotton, jute or bamboo. For extra feeling of airiness, go for white or pastel colours.

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2) Add Greenery to your Space

Plants not only look aesthetically pleasing, but they also help alter the temperature by the process of transpiration. When the atmosphere heats up, plants release excess water vapor in the air through their leaves, thereby cooling themselves and the surrounding environment. Plants such as aloe vera, ficus, and ferns are great as indoor plants as they have a high transpiration rate and they also absorb toxins in the air.

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3) Heat Proof your Bed

Bid adieu to satin, polyster, flannel or silk bedding in summers. Switch to cotton or linen, as they are airy and breathable materials that feel cool against the skin and soak up all the perspiration. As a pro-tip, before sleeping, just pop the sheet in the freezer for a bit before spreading it on your bed, and enjoy the coolness!

Source: Home Artisan

4) Use Early Morning or Night Breeze for Cross Ventilation

During summer months, night time or early mornings are the only times when the air is not too hot. These are the best times to open your windows or doors for your daily dose of cross ventilation.

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5) Switch to CFL or LED Bulbs

While the incandescent filament bulbs add vastly to the ambience, they also lead to more heat and higher electricity bills. We recommend switching to CFL or LED ; these days you get warm white coloured bulbs that can be used to create a warm and relaxing ambience.

Source: Pinterest