Summers on the Gold Coast can be very oppressive, with the mercury regularly topping 30 degrees Celsius and humidity often exceeding 70%.
In such circumstances, it is important to take steps to keep your home cool during the warmest months of the year. Thankfully, there are several things you can do to prevent your property from feeling like a sauna whenever the mercury rises outside.
In this post, we’ll highlight eight steps you can take to keep your living space cool all year round, particularly between December and February.
If you’ve implemented these measures, you will be much better prepared to cope with the region’s often oppressive subtropical climate, even on the hottest of days.
1. Get a good air conditioning system
The most obvious way to keep your Gold Coast home cool is to invest in a good air conditioning system.
Ideally, you’ll need one that can cool your room as energy-efficiently as possible. It is also advisable to choose one that is not too bulky, does not make excessive noise, and represents good value for money.
You might also want to consider a smart system that you can operate remotely and adjust the temperature in different rooms as required.
Whatever system you choose, you should ensure it is professionally installed and regularly maintained to operate at maximum efficiency.
2. fans
In addition to a good air conditioning system, it is worth investing in a few portable or ceiling fans that can provide you with instant relief.
Both of these types of fans can provide very effective ways to cool down on the hottest of days. Just make sure you get ones that create good airflow and do not chew up much in the way of energy.
3. Increase natural ventilation
Perhaps one of the easiest ways to cool your home is to take advantage of the natural breezes on the Gold Coast.
A great way to do this is to open your windows and doors to let the fresh air flow through your home. In this respect, cross-ventilation is key, as you’ll want to open windows on opposite sides of your home to create a nice breeze path.
If you have the budget, you should also consider having fly screens put on your doors and windows or installing bigger or new windows in your ceiling and wall space to create even more ventilation.
4. Switch to Vinyl Flooring
You might not be aware of this, but the type of flooring in your home can significantly influence its temperature.
The great thing about vinyl flooring is that it does not retain heat like carpet, which means it helps keep rooms cool. Additionally, vinyl is more durable, hygienic (because it is easier to clean) and, cheaper than other surfaces like hardwood floors.
It also comes in a variety of styles, which means it looks great. Check out the range at Choices Flooring to see what we mean.
5. Insulate your home
Another terrific way to keep your Gold Coast home cool during the warmer months of the year is to make sure it is well-insulated.
Insulation performs the role of a barrier to heat flow, making homes cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Therefore, if your walls and roof have good insulation, you should enjoy comfortable temperatures all year round.
Typically, glasswool is the most common type of material that is used for insulation. However, you can also use cellulose and sheep’s wool as more eco-friendly options if you wish.
6. Invest in good window coverings
One of the main ways that rooms can get hot in the summer is if sunlight streams through the windows. For this reason, it is a good idea to invest in blinds, curtains, or shades that can block out the sun’s harsh rays during the hottest parts of the day.
Thermal or blackout curtains are particularly effective at reducing heat from entering your living spaces, particularly if you purchase a good-quality version.
Just make sure you close your curtains during daylight hours; otherwise, the sun will continue to flood in.
7. Install reflective roofing
Roofing materials significantly affect how hot your home gets, not least because they absorb the full force of the sun.
Subsequently, it is worth having reflective or ‘cool’ roofing materials installed because they are designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat. This, in turn, will keep your house much cooler in the summer than roofs made of other materials will.
8. Create shade with outdoor plants
Nature can often provide brilliant cooling solutions, so if you can, it is worth planting trees, tall shrubs, or plants around the exterior of the home.
Doing this can provide much-needed shade and reduce the amount of direct sunlight that hits your windows and walls. Some of the best options include bamboo trees, jacarandas, and magnolia ‘teddy bear’.
It is also worth having more greenery in the interior of your home, as it can significantly improve its air quality and create a fresher atmosphere overall.
