Smart ways to cool down your home in summer

Key overview:

• Set up your home for passive cooling with shading, awnings and blinds to block the sun and heat from entering.
• Place a pergola outdoors to shade the entertaining space. Add extra shade by growing a leafy canopy over the top.
• Plant trees to a house’s northwest and western sides to shield your home from the afternoon sun.
• Choose lighter shades of hardscaping if you’re upgrading, as they absorb less heat.
• Natural grass in your yard is cooler than synthetic, if you need help choosing a lawn suited to your climate, talk to a Bunnings team member at your local store.
• Try a fan before you switch on the air con or run both at the same time so you can set the thermostat a little higher.

When the temperature rises, it pays to tackle heat from every angle. The way you design, shade and plant around your house and garden can help cool down your home – and keep everyone more comfortable in the process.

How to use passive cooling to cool your home naturally

To cool your home naturally, stop heat entering in the first place. Shading windows from the outside with awnings, blinds and planting can reduce heat gain by 80 per cent1, says Jenny Edwards, scientist and founder of Light House ArchiScience. Flexible shading lets your house adjust to the time of day and season, says Michael Drage, certified Passive House Designer and founder of Reimagined Habitat. “Horizontal shading (eaves and overhangs) works to the north, while vertical shading (fins, external blinds and screens) works to the east and west, where the sun sits low.”

Where to place a pergola

A pergola gives you an inviting and comfortable spot to relax and entertain. But placement and design are key to keeping it cool, says Callum Rhodes, landscape designer at Outhouse Design. “A pergola will only cool the space as much as it is able to shade it,” he says. To add shade without making the space feel hemmed in, train a climbing plant such as star jasmine over the pergola to create a leafy canopy.

How to plant for shade

Trees to a house’s northwest and western sides can shield the afternoon sun, says Callum. But before planting, check a tree’s mature height, canopy size and root habits. Deciduous trees can provide shade in summer but allow sunlight in winter. Try Japanese maple, crepe myrtle or ornamental pear.

Advantage of choosing cooler surfaces

Considering new hardscaping? Where possible, opt for lighter coloured natural stone that absorbs less heat than dark paving, and avoid large, uninterrupted areas of hard surfacing. In less-used spots, swap solid paving for stepping stones interspersed with groundcover, which will help lower the ground temperature and also add a soft, organic texture.

How natural turf keeps your home cooler

“Natural grass helps cool the area around your home2,” says Nathan Edwards, lawn expert at Lawn Solutions Australia. As it releases moisture through evapotranspiration, a healthy lawn can be 15°C cooler than synthetic turf on a hot day3. Dense-growing varieties provide good ground coverage, but choosing a lawn suited to your climate is key. “Buffalo lawns like Sir Walter DNA Certified are excellent options, while fine- and medium-leaf varieties, like TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda or Zoysia Australis, also perform well,” says Nathan. Talk to a Bunnings team member at your local store for advice.

How to future proof your new build

Design your build for passive cooling from the start. Planning a new build or major reno? Start with orientation: get it right at the design stage as it’s very difficult to change later. Michael recommends external shading on every facade and an airtight, well-insulated building envelope. North-facing windows call for correctly sized eaves, says Jenny. East- and west-facing windows are better kept smaller and shaded externally. Add a light-coloured roof, cross-ventilation, flyscreens for overnight open windows (where safe) and a considered ventilation strategy.

How draught sealing and insulation helps cool down your home

“Without insulation, your ceiling can act like a huge, invisible heater,” says Jenny. Insulation slows the transfer of heat through the roof and walls, while draught sealing stops hot outside air getting in and cooled air escaping. Check for gaps around windows, doors, skirting boards and where pipes or cables enter the home. Add door seals or draught excluders if needed.

How to cool down your home at night

On scorching days, avoid opening windows until it is cooler outside than inside. An indoor-outdoor thermometer can help you judge the right time, says Jenny. Once the outdoor temperature drops, open windows on opposite or adjacent sides of the home to create a cross-breeze. Run bathroom or laundry exhaust fans briefly to help draw out hot air and, where security allows, leave windows open overnight. Close it all up again the next morning before the temperature starts to climb.

How to cool your alfresco areas

For entertaining on a still, muggy day, an outdoor ceiling fan will help keep everyone more comfortable, says Callum. Outdoor fans generally need to be bigger than indoor models to move enough air – and they can also help keep mosquitoes away. Misting systems use evaporating water to cool the air, so they work most effectively in dry climates.

Portable fixes to cool your house

Need something to cool your home now but move with you later? Shade cloths, balcony screens or a well-positioned umbrella can stop direct sun from hitting the glass, suggests Michael. Window film, removable draught seals and door snakes can also help.

Smarter ways to use a fan

Fans don’t lower a room’s temperature, but the moving air can make you feel considerably cooler – and they cost just cents per hour to run4. Try a fan before reaching for the air conditioner or run the two together so you can set the thermostat a little higher. “When buying, focus on fan type, room size and airflow rather than blade count,” says Anna Safaryan, seasonal cooling buyer at Bunnings. A smaller fan will struggle in a large room, while a larger ceiling fan can move more air at a lower speed. DC models are generally quieter and more energy efficient. For renters, a pedestal fan offers flexible, portable cooling, says Anna. Small personal fans, which cool just the space around the user, are popular for their efficiency.

Keep in mind…

• Any hardwired electrical work must be carried out by a licensed tradie.
• Check suitability of plants for your region as some may be classified as weeds in certain states and territories.

Want more ideas to beat the heat at your place?

Check out our article on how to choose cooling for your home.

Photo credit: Reuben Looi, Alex Reinders, Kev Quelch