Keeping the house cool

[Reluctantadult]

I'm interested to hear if anyone has retrofitted measures to keep the house cool? Such as shutters, screens, different glass, awnings, ceiling fans... Not really meaning ac units. I'm surprised shutters are not becoming more of a thing!

Re ceiling fans - most (if not all?) allow you to alter the direction the blades spin. I can't remember which is which (clockwise vs anti clockwise) but one way circulates cool air for use in the summer, the other way circulates warm air for the winter.

I only found this out when I finally started using the 15yo ceiling fan in the conservatory! I guess we don't have as much as call for the warm circulation in the UK but it means you can use them all year round

I have been reading this thread with great interest. If you have installed ceiling fans, which did you choose and would you recommend them?

I'd be interested too

Highly recommend a ceiling fan in the bedroom. Ours are just generic ones from B&Q or Argos with pull cords and plain blades. I've looked at fancier ones, but these are nice and simple, no major issues with fitting them and no remotes to lose.

Ceiling fans are a great idea.

I’ve got some German double blade ones which are amazing and very quiet- sorry can’t remember the brand. The key thing is size and positioning. They need to be big enough for the room- it will say what square meter age they can cover. Also I have found the light/ fan combo to be a bit crap in darker rooms. I have ceiling spotlights and a lightless fan.

Thank you for the replies about the ceiling fans, definitely my next investment!

We put in shutters, Venetian blinds or thermal blinds throughout the house this year. We have blackout curtains as well which I fitted with reflective linings. It's been really hot these past days, the glass has been very hot to the touch where they get the full sun in the afternoon.

So the bedroom "layering" has really been put to the test this week and what a difference! The drop in temperature is very noticeable.

Of course, it's easier because the sun sets earlier so you can start opening windows bringing in the cooler air. But I am delighted with the effects of the layering thus far

Yes, thank you so much for the ceiling fan information - very useful!