How to cool down a room: alternative cooling methods for homes

Key steps:

Ditch air conditioning and learn how to cool down a room with these tricks:

1. Keep curtains closed.
2. Turn off appliances that give out a lot of heat.
3. Install attic ventilation.
4. Use house plants to keep a room cool.

When the hot weather hits, it’s definitely tempting to turn on your fans and blast your air conditioning as a quick fix to cool down. But this isn’t always the best solution. In fact, AC and fans are not very good for the environment and can leave you with some pretty big energy bills! Do your bit for the planet (and your bank account) by taking a look at these alternative methods of how to cool down a room.

How to cool down a room, fast

Try these 5 quick ideas to instantly make your home cooler:

1. Keep blinds down for a cool room

Not sure how to make a room cooler without flicking the switch on the AC? Try keeping your curtains and blinds closed during the day. A whole lot of unwanted heat comes from the sun shining in through your windows so keeping curtains shut can help to cool things down. Invest in blackout curtains where possible to make this extra effective.

2. Turn off electrical appliances

Still need to know how to cool down your house after closing all the curtains? Become more conscious of where heat is generated inside your home to avoid making it worse. Instead of using your oven, cook food in the microwave or use crock pots which don’t give off as much heat. Try washing dishes by hand instead of using your dishwasher, ditch the hairdryer, and take cooler showers. Turn off any electricals such as TVs when they're not in use and unplug them from the wall - devices left in standby generate heat and waste energy.

3. Create a cross breeze to cool rooms quickly

When it comes to learning how to make your room cooler quickly, promoting a cross breeze can be a great solution. To do this, simply find two windows that are opposite each other and open them both. This will let air flow in through one and out the other, keeping everything light and breezy.

4. Cool your home from the attic

Even if you don’t use your attic, did you know it could be heating up your home? If it’s well insulated then the hot air that rises through your home could get stuck in the attic, keeping it inside your home. To learn how to cool your home from the attic but without sacrificing the insulation or energy-efficiency of your property, add ventilation to help lower the temperature.

5. Keep a room cool with plants

Filling your home with plants not only adds to the decor but it can also keep your room much cooler! Plants release moisture, helping temperatures to drop, but they also keep the air fresh. If you want to know how to keep a room cool with plants, simply place potted plants in strategic areas of your home - trying to have a plant in every room. Here are a few varieties that will work best:

• Aloe vera
• Areca palm tree
• Fern
• Ficus tree
• Golden pothos
• Snake plant

Switching off the  air conditioning and trying these room cooling tips is a great, eco-friendly idea that’ll save you money. Give them a try today and don't forget to read our other articles on saving energy to start making a bigger difference!