Beat the Heat With These Quick Fixes

The sweltering heat can be hard on our mental, emotional and physical well-being as well as our electricity bill and you can be missing the arctic blast of air-cond but if you put your mind to task by finding some clever options to bring the temperature down, staying home can be a breeze.

Kansai Paint Malaysia

Malaysia enjoys tropical weather year round however due to its proximity to water the climate is quite often humid and it can also get unbearably hot with no escape route in sight. Prior to Movement Control Order (MCO) that was implemented in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Malaysians were crafty in ways they could escape the heat; some would head to the office equipped with centralized air conditioner systems or vacationing in a cooler climate or even window shopping in malls.

Since the MCO has been implemented, Malaysians have had no choice but to stay at home and most Malaysians have been cranking up their air conditioners to stave off the high temperatures. But using air conditioners for long periods everyday isn’t quite cost effective. Apart from air conditioning system, there are other clever ideas that will not only keep the sweltering heat at bay but also enhance the home aesthetics.

One of the most effective ways to keep the home cooler is to opt for window coverings such as curtains and blinds. Though it is the most basic of home elements, no one really gives it the attention it deserves.  For some of the choicest window coverings, seek out Elyza’s and Hunter Douglas, the window coverings specialist that is focused on improving people’s quality of living.

Elyza’s Home

CURTAINS

To keep your home cooler, opt for Elyza’s blackout and dim-out curtains, and sunscreen blinds. Blackout curtains can be made out of either blackout coated fabrics or normal fabrics with a blackout liner attached to the back of the curtains. With the ability to reduce noise and completely block out light, these curtains are temperature-regulating and prevents infrared light from entering a room, making it ideal for bedrooms and spaces with direct sunlight.

Elyza’s Home

If blackout curtain isn’t an option, then dim-out curtain is your solution. Consisting of black warp yarns and a dense twill construction, it prevents light to pass through. Dim-out curtains have all the functions as blackout curtains but with a slightly less degree in light and heat blocking, noise reduction and energy-saving. The stand out features of dim-out curtains are it is much softer, drapes more beautifully and has a lower price point that blackout curtains, making it a favourite amongst home owners.

Elyza’s Home

Elyza’s Home

SUNSCREEN BLINDS

Elyza’s sunscreen roller blinds are made of sunscreen fabrics which are used to minimize sun glare and to reduce UV and heat from entering while allowing light into the room.  Sunscreen blinds provide a great level of privacy as you can’t see into the room from outside but from within the room, you can still see through the blinds, therefore making it suitable for spaces that require more light and less privacy such as the living, study and kitchen areas.

Elyza’s Home

In general, sunscreen fabrics are available with different ‘Openness Factors’ ranging from 1%, 3%, 5% & 10% for different applications. The higher the openness percentage the better the visibility however there is a slightly lesser percentage of UV protection. The 5% openness factor is most popular and commonly used in commercial building, but in order to reduce heat and save energy, it’s always recommended to use smaller openness factor such as 1% or 3% for windows with strong sunlight.

Maxtrack

EXTERNAL VENETIAN BLINDS

When it comes to selecting blinds for your home or office unit, head over to Maxtrack where all of their products are ruled by two distinctive features; aesthetically-pleasing and simple. As a window blinds specialist solutions, Maxtrack’s External Venetian Blinds are designed to reduce sunlight penetration and absorb heat before it enters the room.

Maxtrack

Mounted from the outside and devised to run down directly in front of windows and sliding doors, the slats can be tilted accordingly to control the entry of natural light, heat and sun radiation from the outside into the home, which allows homeowners to enjoy the view outside without worrying about heat. Unaffected by extreme temperature changes, the external roller blinds operate using discreet stainless side cables or sleek aluminum side channels that can be powder coated to suite any exterior. The blinds will not only provide more privacy and heat protection – but also adds charm and individuality to your home’s exterior!

Hunter Douglas Malaysia

SHADES

An industry leader in making a big energy-saving difference when it comes to protecting your home from unwanted light, Hunter Douglas invented the Duette® Honeycomb shades in 1985. Specifically engineered to provide beauty and energy efficiency at the window in both cold and warm climates, the honeycomb construction traps air in distinct pockets, which creates insulation that, can help lower energy consumption and energy bills.  Offering optimum energy efficiency, light control and style possibilities, Duette® shades are available in an expansive range of pleat sizes, fabrics, colors, opacities and textures.

Hunter Douglas Duette® Honeycomb shades are beautiful, yet practical, with no visible cords, holes or seams. They are designed to act as a layer of light filtration to block harmful UV ray, keep out the aggressive heat and provide protection to a home’s flooring and furniture. Presenting a sensible and stylish decorating alternative, the Hunter Douglas Duette® honeycomb shades are available in timeless colour as ranging from neutral cream and white, to muted blue and warm gold, making it suitable for any dwelling.

TKS Interior Design

BRING THE TEMP DOWN

Apart from window coverings, another method to employ is using paint that can bring down the temperature of your dwelling. The choice of colours can have a significant impact on the temperature of your home on a hot, humid day, but not just for your walls but also your roofing.  With the advanced technology, many paint brands now also offer heat-resistance paints for walls and roofs to deflect heat; popular options include Vasari and Kansai.

TKS Interior Design

Vasari Natural Wall Plaster which was founded in 2003 by Alex Conrad specializes is made from natural ingredients mainly lime and marble dust.  Also known as Venetian Plaster, it is a lime-based wall material that carries the natural benefits of marble and limestone, such as breathability and CO2 absorption. Breathability allows the wall to breathe which then means it regulates humidity better than other wall finishes. It allows moisture to escape from the substrate, so your home will be less hot and humid.

At the same time, Vasari also absorbs CO2 as part of its lime cycle of turning back into limestone. That explains why Vasari is healthier at the same time longer lasting as the wall becomes harder over time by absorbing CO2. Lesser CO2 in your space also helps with turning your space into less hot environment. While Vasari is headquartered in Ventura California, it is also now available in Malaysia through the exclusive distributorship of CAO Industries Sdn Bhd one of the leading lime and wall plaster manufacturer in Malaysia.

Kansai Paint Malaysia

As one of the world’s top paint manufacturers, Kansai Paint is known for setting new standards in its performance and innovation and one of its innovations is the PAR Heat Reduction Roofcote – a high performance coating designed to reflect heat and prevent heat build-up on your roofs. Studies conducted have found that homeowners could reduce energy usage during the hot season by applying heat reflective paint because it can reduce solar heat gain on darker coloured roofs.

Kansai Paint Malaysia

With excellent heat reduction property of up to 5°C, the PAR Heat Reduction Roofcote, formulated with specialty resin, is tough, durable and has excellent colour retention properties which outperform ordinary roof coatings. This paint will reflect the sunlight that falls on the roof and disperse the heat from the roof. If one of your concerns is that cool roof can draw humidity, then worry not because the PAR Heat Reduction Roofcote has excellent fungal and algae resistant. Other attributes of this coating are tough synthetic finish, which means it is washable and it doesn’t contain added lead or mercury.

Electrolux Malaysia

COOL AS CUCUMBER

If all else fails and you still want to invest in air conditioning units because air conditioning makes it much easier to work through the hot spell then we suggest that you choose the right air conditioner for your home so that the utility bill will not sky rocket, even if it is switched on for long hours. Some of the key considerations to look out for when purchasing an air cond unit are energy efficiency, cooling speed, and added functions that is suitable for a household. Opting for a superior quality air cond unit will contribute greatly to a conducive environment for you and your family.

Electrolux provides a wide range of air conditioners for healthier and cleaner air, so you can enjoy every moment at home and amongst it is the Vita Inverter Aircon 1 HP with Active Pure technology that reduces certain harmful bacteria* by 99% to protect your wellbeing.

Electrolux Malaysia

The smart technology reaches your desired temperature and keeps your rooms cool and noiseless while the X-Fan feature automatically removes excess moisture when the machine stops, which prevents mildew and bacteria growth for healthier and cleaner air.

In addition, the I-Feel function’s remote control sensor maintains your chosen temperature whenever it’s in the room. Just keep it close and you’ll always stay cool so you can enjoy every moment at home. The winner of Reddot 2015, the Electrolux inverter air conditioner’s premium design is eye-catching and complements any home.

Samsung Malaysia

Another brand to consider is Samsung which has launched an advanced new air conditioning unit, the AR9500T that combines Wind-Free™ cooling technology with integrated AI-powered features to enhance user experience. With Samsung’s Wind-Free™ technology and its automated 3-Step cooling mode consumers can enjoy the ultimate cooling experience without having to deal with direct, cold drafts.

Samsung Malaysia

Another commendable feature is the AI Auto Cooling feature that works by analyzing room conditions, user-preferred temperatures and cooling modes, and even the outdoor climate to automatically switch to the most appropriate setting. Other features include the Fast Cooling mode and Digital Inverter Boost, which dramatically reduces the time it takes for the compressor to reach maximum power once it starts operating, so it cools the air faster.

Samsung Malaysia

Apart from that, the Tri-Care Filter keeps the air hygienic by extracting large dust, fibers, and hairs and reduces the presence of fine dust, viruses, bacteria and allergens. It can also be controlled and monitored remotely using the SmartThings app.

Samsung Malaysia

Once you’ve made up your mind to overcome the heat wave, the options are limitless and homeowners can definitely apply one or more of these clever options to turn your home into a cool abode that you are happy to stay-in for as long as you want. MCO or not.

Article Courtesy of Designer Concept 71