With the hot summer days to intensify, a frequent question arises again among the Portuguese: Is it better to keep the windows open or closed to refresh the house? In the United Kingdom, where air conditioning is rare in dwellings, there is a simple and economic method that has prominent gain, and can be useful here.
In practice, this decision can directly influence the thermal comfort of divisions and even dictate the difference between a fresh or unbearable house in the late afternoon.
There is a simple logic to follow
According to expert Amy Barker, consultant for 100Green Energy company, the golden rule is comparing the interior temperature with the outside.
“On hot days, it should open the windows only when it is cooler abroad than indoors,” said Good to Know publication.
According to the same source, this practice prevents the heat from the outside from entering the already heated environment, further aggravating thermal discomfort.
Best time to open and close
The British method recommends keeping windows and curtains closed between 11:00 and 15:00, when solar radiation is more intense. Ventilation should only occur early in the morning, late afternoon or at night, when the outside air cools and allows you to create a cooler current indoors.
These moments allow you to renew the air of the house without compromising the thermal balance and help prepare the environment for the most suffocating hours of the day.
Air chains make a difference
Another simple trick with great impact is to create air chains. To do this, just open windows on opposite sides of the house, promoting the natural circulation of the air.
“Air in motion is colder than stopped air,” says Amy Barker, reinforcing the importance of cross ventilation.
This method is especially effective in long homes or with various divisions linked to each other.
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A homemade and cheap trick
For those looking for simple solutions without depending on air conditioning, the expert leaves a practical suggestion: put a damp sheet hanging in front of the open window.
When passing by, the air enters fresher, functioning as a rudimentary way of evaporative cooling.
This technique is safe, does not consume energy and can be repeated several times a day, with surprising results on extreme hot days.
Avoid heat without spending energy
These recommendations shared by are particularly useful for those who live in air conditioning apartments or prefer to avoid increasing energy invoice during summer.
Small gestures, such as knowing when opening the windows and creating inner shading with curtains or blinds, can have a significant impact on well-being indoors.
Keep freshness with the least effort
Deep down, keeping the house cool during a heat wave depends not only on sophisticated equipment. With attention to times and the way air circulates inside the home, it is possible to reduce the ambient temperature naturally.
In a summer where a new increase in temperatures are expected, adopting this British method can be a practical and accessible solution to keep the house fresh without firing the light bill. And without investing: just attention to the thermometer and discipline in the daily ventilation routine.
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