Solutions to improve ventilation in summer

The arrival of summer is something that brings joy to many people. Good weather, sun, longer days, and heat. But heat is something that is fine in moderation until it becomes too much and becomes uncomfortable. Especially in homes. So the ideal is to find a way to improve the ventilation of our homes in summer and also protect ourselves so that the high temperatures do not come into our house.

Without a good mechanical ventilation system and without resorting to air conditioning, which is never the best solution due to cost and pollution, it can be difficult to escape days of extreme heat at home. Due to cost and pollution, it's better to avoid them. Whenever possible and if there are no other options, we must seek ways to ventilate our homes naturally.

If your home becomes an oven in summer, there are several actions you can take to improve the comfort of your home. First of all, remember that air renewal is very important, of course, but if the air that comes in from outside is too warm, it won't be a good idea.

One of the actions you can take to enhance ventilation in summer at home and improve your comfort situation is to place plants in your home. It is a decorative, natural, and very valid resource to achieve a decrease in temperatures.

If you decide to put plants in your house, it's better to choose species from the area and adapted to the local climate to avoid needing watering. Flowering plants are better, and we can lower indoor temperatures by 2ºC with them. Ideally, place plants on the terrace, but if you don't have one, they can be on the windows. Plants and flowers will absorb sunlight and create a fresh film. You will achieve a cooler ventilation.

Insulate to improve ventilation in summer

There is a direct relationship between the amount of light and heat that enters the house and the appliances we use and the increase in temperatures. So we must protect against heat entering the home to ensure better ventilation in summer.

An additional action we can take to greatly improve comfort in our homes during the hottest months is to install awnings. We must prevent sunlight from filtering in without losing brightness, and awnings are the best option. Because they are not touching the window, and that way, the fabric heats up, but not our windows. Thus, we continue to enjoy the entry of natural light without direct sunlight.

It might be thought that having the blinds down helps, and it is partly true. But the blinds are pressed against the glass, and when they heat up, that temperature also filters through the glass. That is why the best option is the awning. However, if you don't have one, at least using blinds helps in the rooms that receive the most sun. Curtains are the last option, as they create a greenhouse effect. If that's all you have, light-colored ones are best at reflecting heat outside.

To achieve good natural ventilation, and assuming there is no mechanical ventilation system, the recommended option is to open windows only at night. It is during these hours when it cools down the most, so we will allow the heat to escape during these hours.

It's not advisable to use air conditioning when sleeping, as it cools the room but does not eliminate the heat accumulated during the day, making the heat return when you turn it off.

For our natural ventilation to work as effectively as possible, we must reduce the heat we generate. If we cook, we should open the kitchen window and close the door leading to other rooms.

In the case of using electronic devices, we should limit the time they are on as much as possible. Also, using low-energy bulbs. Everything adds up to avoid a situation of high heat in summer.

On the other hand, the major problem in houses with heat - and also with cold - is insulation. If the ceilings and walls are built very simply and without sections to maintain airtightness, we won't be able to do much to prevent outside temperature from entering.

The most optimal solution to improve ventilation in summer will undoubtedly be the installation of a double-flow mechanical ventilation system. Since it can renew the air, expelling stale air and introducing fresh, filtered air.