Survive the Heatwave without Breaking a Sweat

Summer is coming and heatwaves in Australia are reaching record highs. In 2019, Nullarbor and Adelaide recorded temperatures of 49.9°C and 45.3°C, while temperatures in cooler cities like Brisbane and Sydney went up to 41°C and 42.4°C. Expect next summer to be the same and make a few changes to weather the heatwaves. 

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Insulate

Outside temperatures shouldn't matter if your house is well-insulated. With proper insulation, temperatures inside your house can stay cooler than outside temperatures by 5-10°C, and that's without air conditioning. Prioritize insulating your roofing. Sun hits your roof more than any part of your house and it is generally the place with the highest rate of heat transfer. Minimizing heat transfer also reduces the stress on your air conditioning system. 

It won't be working as hard and would reduce your electrical consumption. Proper insulation has been noted to cut electricity bills by as high as 30 percent, so your investment on insulating your roof should pay off in just a few months. Roofing insulation can last up to 15 years so a bit of money should solve your heatwave problems for years to come. Aside from your roof, make sure to inspect your house's vents and other openings to reduce unchecked heat transfer. 

Get Some Shade

Direct sunlight is the primary cause of heating. Adding shade or extending your house's shade should reduce the temperature of the immediate area around your house. Plant a few fruit trees in line with the sun or buy full-grown ones and have them replanted. You can also build an insulated patio to add some shade near your doors or windows. A patio will allow you to spend some time outside the house if you feeling cooped up, and you'll still be protected from the heat and the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. While patios are excellent during the summer, you can use them any time of the year when entertaining guests, hosting a barbecue, or just lounging around by yourself with a good book.

Don't Let the Sunlight In

Glass windows and doors serve as ports that let sunlight and heat inside your home. Houses with exceptionally large windows are vulnerable to heat transfer and absorbed heat can stay up even when the sun goes down. If you want to keep it cool, you'll need to add a few shades or heavy curtains to keep sunlight out. Shades and curtains are simple solutions and you can always take them down when summer ends. 

A more high-tech option is smart glass or switchable glass. These modern glass marvels can turn opaque with a switch, allowing you to regulate the amount of light entering your home but they do come with a hefty price. A less expensive option is UV-filtering film. UV film can reduce the heat entering your windows by close to 75 percent and they also keep your house safe from harmful UV radiation.

With climate change, expect heat waves to be the norm. Adjust to the changing times by making a few changes in your house that will make it resilient to extreme outside temperatures to keep your family safe and comfortable.