How to keep your new build home cool

After a summer of heatwave after heatwave, we're all getting good at finding ways to keep cool. And while there is nothing wrong with sitting in front of the fan with an ice cream, we've put together some easy tips for keeping your new home cool in the summer.  

1. Know when to open and close your windows  

When it's warm outside, opening every window you have might seem like the most obvious thing to do, but research shows that keeping windows and doors shut prevents outside air from coming indoors.  

One of the easiest things you can do is get into the habit of opening your windows and doors first thing in the morning, while the air outside is still cool, and then doing the same again in the evening once the sun has gone down. This gives the cooler air a chance to move through your home before temperatures start rising again. 

Many of our new homes have French doors that lead straight out into the garden. When you open these alongside windows on the opposite side of your home, you can create a draught that helps warm air escape while bringing fresher, cooler air inside.  

2. Close the curtains to keep the heat out 

You might enjoy seeing sunlight stream through your windows but be mindful that it can make a room heat up quickly. Keeping direct sun out during the hottest parts of the day is one of the simplest ways to help your home stay cooler in the summer.  

We recommend closing blinds, curtains or shutters in rooms that receive direct sunlight, especially in south or west-facing homes. The type of window covering you have can also help to keep your home cool in the summer. Honeycomb blinds and thermal blackout curtains work best for blocking solar heat, as the cellular pockets in honeycomb designs trap warm air right at the glass to form an insulating barrier. Meanwhile, heavy triple-weave or white-backed thermal curtains reflect and absorb rays before heat ever makes it into a room.  

3. Put your fan to good use  

A fan won’t actually lower the temperature of a room, but it can make you feel much cooler by keeping air moving across your skin, which helps sweat dry faster and pulls heat away from your body.  

A standing or floor fan is a simple and inexpensive way to make a room feel comfortable, and placing one near an open window in the evening helps draw cooler outside air in, giving your natural ventilation a helping hand. In bedrooms, a compact desk or tower fan pointed towards the bed can make all the difference to a good night's sleep during a heatwave. 

4. Watch out for heat-generating appliances  

Your oven, tumble dryer, dishwasher, laptop and games console all give off heat while they’re running, and in a well-insulated home that extra warmth can hang around for a while. 

During warm days, try to save cooking for the cooler parts of the day where you can. You could also take things outside and make use of the barbecue or choose meals that need little or no cooking when the weather is hot.  

The same goes for your washing machine and dishwasher. Running them later in the evening, once the temperature has started to drop, means you’re not adding extra warmth to your home during the hottest part of the day. And when your family has finished using laptops, televisions, and games consoles, switch them off at the wall instead of leaving them running or on standby. 

5. Use your garden to create shade 

If you're planning to decorate your garden, a little thought about positioning can pay off for years to come, and it's a lovely project to get the whole family involved in.  

Planting trees, tall shrubs or installing a pergola with climbing plants near south or west-facing windows can provide natural shade that blocks sunlight before it reaches the glass and starts warming up the room behind it. Even something as simple as an outdoor awning or a well-placed potted plant near a patio door can help provide shade and reduce the amount of heat entering your home.  

A cooler home, all summer long 

One of the things we’re most proud of is how well our new homes are designed to keep you comfortable throughout the year. The insulation and airtight construction that help keep your home warm during winter can also help you manage the temperature during summer, provided you use a few simple habits to your advantage. 

Want to find out more about what makes a Jelson home so efficient to run all year round? Learn more about the energy-efficient advantages of a new home here. 

FAQs about keeping your home cool  

How to keep your house cool in summer naturally? 

The best way to keep your house cool naturally is to make the most of cooler air in the morning and in the evening, while keeping hot air and direct sunlight out during the hottest part of the day.  

Should you keep windows closed in hot weather? 

Yes, during the hottest part of the day, it is best to keep windows closed if the air outside is warmer than the air inside. Opening them at this point can bring more hot air into your home.  

What is the best time to keep a bedroom cool at night?  

A fan positioned near the bed can keep air moving while you sleep, and opening windows on opposite sides of your home before bedtime can help create a through-draught and clear warm air from upstairs rooms. 

Are new build homes easier to keep cool? 

New build homes are designed with modern insulation, glazing and ventilation standards in mind, which can help with temperature control throughout the year. Good ventilation is particularly important during warmer weather, allowing you to let cooler air into your home when outdoor temperatures drop.