Summer has arrived in the Philippines! The season is a favorite among many Filipinos who cherish the sunny days, the inviting warmth, green landscapes, trips to the beach, and the abundance of enjoyable activities that fill our summer days with laughter and happiness. While the season is typically celebrated, recent times have seen us experiencing unusually warm weather and exceptionally intense heat waves.
In fact, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has warned that the Philippines will experience a prolonged heat wave until mid-May.
This extreme weather event has led to temperatures soaring between 100 and 120 degrees, resulting in the suspension of classes, increased strain on power and electricity supplies, higher energy consumption, and a rise in heat-related illnesses and diseases.
However, there is good news for the residents of Camella! In an exciting collaboration, the country’s largest home builder and Happy Housekeepers, a professional cleaning company in the Philippines, are teaming up to bring practical and economical solutions for keeping your home cool and comfortable throughout the season.
Stay with us throughout this blog as we share valuable and essential summer tips!
What are Typical House Types in the Philippines?
Exploring the variety of house types available in the Philippines
- Bungalow
- Single-attached
- Single-detached
- Duplex
- Townhouse
- Multi-family apartments or Family Compounds
- Condominium
Over time, the home design landscape in the Philippines has undergone significant transformations. Architects and engineers have pioneered innovative strategies to ensure homes have essential features such as ample lighting, ventilation, functionality, and more.
The Philippines’ largest homebuilder, Camella, specializes in building Spanish-Mediterranean-themed homes tailored to meet the needs of both Filipino families and communities.
Beyond their visually appealing design, Camella developments offer practicality and stability. They have added benefits, including durability, ventilation, natural lighting, and adaptability.
How to Keep Your House Cool During Summer?
Whatever season we are in, it is always wise to keep a monthly home maintenance checklist and religiously follow a home maintenance schedule that will prevent minor damages or issues within the house to explode into major repairs. This way, you save money in the long run as the minor repairs are addressed in no time.
Part of this monthly home maintenance checklist should be the plumbing system, electrical systems, among others. If you have a garage and a backyard to maintain, always check if the carbon monoxide detectors are working properly, there are no leaks from outdoor faucets, sprinkler heads so you do not accumulate waste water that in turn impacts on your water bill.
Alternately, you should also check for frozen pipes during the colder months to avoid disruption in the flow of hot water into the house. Since you are spending time checking on your outdoor space, you might also want to check the garage door for safety, especially if the parking space has an access to your home.
If your family is into cooking, always check the expiration date of fire extinguishers and make sure that the smoke alarms are working. Periodically check the sink drains so clogging won’t occur. If clogging happens anyway, try pouring a tablespoon of baking soda and clean off hardened particles with soapy water. Finish off with damp cloth. While at it, you might also want to check the dryer vent to keep it debris-free.
Maintaining a home is not for everyone. Call your family handyman if the work is too much for you. There is a better alternative, however. Discover valuable insights from a group within Happy Housekeepers specializing in civil, mechanical, plumbing, fire alarm system installations, and other engineering services.
Learn how they can help keep your home cool and comfortable this summer through these essential maintenance tips. Take note of this comprehensive home maintenance checklist!
Embrace Natural Ventilation
Begin with the fundamentals: encourage natural airflow. Unlock your windows and doors to allow cross-breeze and maintain home’s temperature.
Strategically place windows to facilitate full ventilation, promoting the free circulation of air to cool your home naturally. Consider adding window screens to prevent insects from entering while enjoying the refreshing breeze.
Harness the Power of Fans by Rotating Counterclockwise
When the summer heat becomes overwhelming, rely on your trusty fans to provide instant relief and stay cool. Ceiling fans offer an economical method of circulating air and upholding a pleasant indoor temperature.
During summer, setting your fans to rotate counter clockwise will create a gentle downward airflow, providing cooler air and potentially reducing electricity costs.
Additionally, portable fans are versatile, perfect for targeting specific zones or moving from room to room as needed.
Optimize Your Cooling System
While we aim to minimize reliance on air conditioning to save both energy and money, sometimes it’s necessary to turn on the air conditioner for that icy cool breeze to beat the heat.
However, you can still maximize its efficiency without breaking the bank. Keep your air conditioning unit well-maintained by regularly cleaning or replacing filters to ensure proper airflow.
Additionally, consider using programmable thermostats to regulate temperature settings and avoid unnecessary cooling when you’re not at home.
Strategic Shading
Camella developments are designed to welcome natural sunlight, but excessive light streams can also contribute to heat buildup indoors.
To combat this, strategically place shades, curtains, or blinds closed to block out direct sunlight during the hottest parts of the day.
Light-colored curtains with reflective backing are particularly effective in reducing high temperatures while allowing diffused light to brighten your space.
Seal Gaps and Cracks
Ensure your home remains cool by sealing any gaps or cracks in doors, windows, and walls to prevent warm air from infiltrating. Weatherstripping and caulking offer cost-effective and simple-to-install remedies that can significantly improve energy efficiency.
Additionally, remember to inspect for gaps around pipes, dryer vents, and electrical outlets, as they are frequent sources of air leaks.
Create A Cool Roof
Did you know that your roof plays a significant role in regulating indoor temperatures? By opting for light-colored roof materials or applying reflective coatings, you can reduce the amount of heat absorbed by your home’s roof, thus lowering overall indoor temperatures.
This simple yet effective strategy can help keep your Camella house cool and comfortable while also prolonging the lifespan of your roofing system.
Create Shade with Outdoor Landscaping
Expand your cooling strategies beyond the confines of your home by integrating flower beds and landscaping features that offer shade and natural cooling.
Surrounding your property with trees can establish natural shields against the sun rays, effectively decreasing ambient temperatures and lessening reliance on artificial cooling. Consider selecting deciduous trees that shed their leaves in winter, permitting sunlight penetration during cooler months.
Install an Attic Ventilator
During summer, the attic can become extremely hot, reaching temperatures as high as 150°C. This heat can spread throughout the house, raising indoor temperatures. Installing a ventilation unit in the attic can effectively manage this heat, keeping the space warm and the air circulating. Ventilating units work by expelling hot air from the attic and drawing in cooler air from outside.
This keeps the attic significantly cooler, effectively enabling the air conditioning (AC) system to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature during the summer months.
Clean Your ACU Filters Regularly
When your air conditioning system stops functioning effectively, it may be time to replace the filters. Clogged air filters force the AC system to operate harder and can disrupt indoor airflow, leading to potential allergy triggers, inefficient heating, and higher electricity bills. Inspecting and replacing AC air filters twice weekly is advisable to maintain optimal performance.
Do Necessary Deep Clean Tasks for Your Homes
Deep cleaning involves thorough cleaning methods that contribute to keeping your home cool. It improves insulation, diminishes heat absorption, enhances appliance efficiency, and can potentially improve indoor air quality and circulation.
Implementing this cleaning routine can substantially affect your home temperature, particularly during the hot summer months.
Stay Hydrated and Keep Cool Air
During the summer, prioritize self-care for you and your loved ones. Keep cool by staying hydrated and avoiding strenuous activities during the hottest periods of the day. Establish cool retreats within your home equipped with fans or portable air coolers to unwind and relax when temperatures soar outside.
Maintaining a cool household is crucial as temperatures climb in the summer months. A relaxed environment enhances your comfort and well-being while preserving the condition of your furniture and appliances.
Nonetheless, achieving optimal indoor temperatures without solely relying on air conditioning can present challenges.
Read more: How Often Should You Clean the House?
Ultimate Home Maintenance Checklist: Get Professional Cleaners
While deep cleaning might appear overwhelming, it is crucial for the health and well-being of both you and your family. Though home maintenance can feel like a considerable undertaking, it presents an opportunity for minor upgrades. Word to the wise, make sure that your homeowners insurance is always updated!
Dedicate time to cleaning and regular maintenance to safeguard your investment, uphold good hygiene, and promote the health of your family. However, if you need more time, you can rely on Happy Housekeepers as your trusted partner for professional cleaning services.
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