9 'cool' hacks for beating the heat this summer

January and February are notoriously the hottest months of the year in South Africa, and Jawitz Properties has put together a list of all the hacks you'll need to stay cool when Mother Nature keeps turning up the heat.

Hack 1: Create a through draft

Let the breeze outside in and discover how it can become a free and natural air conditioner in your home! Experiment with opening doors or windows at opposite sides of your home and find ways to create a create a breeze that circulates through your home to keep you cool and comfortable. At night, open as many windows as you can. The cool air will circulate around your home all night, and you'll start your day in pleasantly cool surroundings.

Hack 2: Invest in some high-quality fans

From ceiling fans to pedestal fans that rotate vertically as well as horizontally, there are plenty of ways to keep your home cool at a fraction of the cost of an air conditioner. Certain fans can even become part of your digital smart home, so you can start cooling your home down before you get there.

Hack 3: Close the blinds and curtains

Windows that receive direct sunlight at any point during the day will be a heat trap. By keeping the blinds closed or the curtains drawn during the hottest times of the day, you can bring the temperature in your home down substantially. If you have blinds, turn them upwards to help keep the heat out. If you prefer curtains, consider investing in blackout curtains, which create a great natural insulator. When the temperature cools down outside, open everything up to welcome any cool breeze.

Hack 4: Plant foliage and create shade

While you won't get instant gratification on this one, planting trees and shrubs around your home to create shade will keep the heat away from your home - and also enhance the look of your garden and your curb appeal.

Hack 5: Have a braai

Using the stove (and particularly the oven) can raise the temperature in your home considerably. Using the braai is a great way to keep the heat outdoors - and the perfect excuse to invite friends and family around to marvel at how lovely and cool your home is.

Hack 6: Keep your air conditioner well maintained

If you're using an air conditioner to keep your home cool, you'll need to have it serviced at least once a year to make sure that it's cooling your home down as much as it possibly can.

Hack 7: Be smart about keeping internal doors open or closed

Whether your doors should stay open or closed depends on the layout of your home. You may find that keeping the doors to rooms that aren't being used closed prevents your precious cool air from being directed into these spaces. On the other hand, closing doors might also interrupt cross breezes. Experiment and find out what works best in your home.

Hack 8: Put your extractor fans to work

If you have an extractor fan in the kitchen or bathroom, make the most of them. After you cook or have a shower, your extractor fan will pull the hot air that rises from the shower or stove out of your home.

Hack 9: Declare war on heatwaves by insulating your home

Insulation (which typically goes in your loft or roof) prevents heat from entering your home during summer. The best news is that it will do the opposite as well - it will keep you warm when the winter chill sets in.

When you're looking for real advice about any aspect of your home owning or renting journey, Jawitz Properties is the team to get in touch with! Let us take the sweat out of finding and buying the home of your dreams.