Summer cooling advice: home, car and air‑conditioner tips

Experts advise several low‑cost steps to keep homes from overheating: use external shading such as awnings or reflective films on windows, ventilate early in the morning or late at night when outdoor temperatures are lower, avoid running heat‑generating appliances during peak heat, and improve roof insulation.

The Dreame Y Wind31 split‑type air‑conditioner operates at only 18 dB, delivers 40 m³/h airflow and can cool rooms up to 7.2 m, includes a dehumidification mode (1.5 L/h) and an HEPA filter, and features an automatic self‑clean cycle that heats internal components to 57 °C to kill bacteria.

In cars, the cabin should be set about 6 °C below the outside temperature (e.g., 28 °C when it is 34 °C) to avoid health risks and excess fuel use. Opening doors for a minute before turning on the AC removes hot air, and keeping the temperature too low can cause headache, muscle stiffness and higher fuel consumption.

Light‑colored vehicles reflect up to 60 % of solar radiation; studies show they can reduce fuel consumption by roughly 2 % and CO₂ emissions by about 1.9 % compared with dark‑colored cars.

Many modern indoor units have a “Clean” button on the remote that starts an active‑clean cycle, alternating the evaporator’s freeze‑thaw process and a high‑temperature rinse, improving indoor air quality and preventing mold.

A traditional Indian method uses wet vetiver (or other natural‑fiber) curtains on windows; as the water evaporates, it cools the indoor air without electricity, offering an eco‑friendly, low‑cost way to lower indoor temperatures.