5 Ways to Stay Cool This Summer (And Save on Power)

Whether you’re scorching in Auckland or sweltering in the heat down South, New Zealand summer weather can be HOT. During these hot summer days, cold icy drinks along with air conditioning systems soon becomes our greatest ally. 

A recent seasonal climate report from the National Institution of Water & Atmospheric Research expressed that over the next few months, it’s expected to get even hotter. “Temperatures are forecast to be above average (45 percent chance) or near average (40 percent chance) for all regions of New Zealand,” it said.

If you don’t own an air conditioner or a pool, and you don’t live close to the beach, there are still ways to help you and your family survive these sizzling hot summer days.

So, in the interest of not only cooling your home, but also to continue helping Kiwis save money on power, we’ve compiled a list of our top 5 ways to stay cool this summer around the country.

Tip #1

Keep your windows closed during the daytime. Although this may appear to be counterproductive, having your windows open during the day allows the hot air from outside to come into your home - especially if there is no breeze coming through there. Once the sun comes up in the morning, you should close and lock all windows to trap the cooler air inside your home.

The same story goes for closing your blinds and curtains. As soon as the sun comes up, these should be kept shut during the day to prevent heat from entering your property.

Both of these tips can have a dramatic effect on cooling your house, and best of all - it costs nothing to implement these practices in your home.

Tip #2

Avoid turning on or using any appliances that have the ability to heat up your home. Ideally, during summertime, it’s best to eat cold meals or do the majority of your cooking with a microwave or outside on a BBQ.  Your stove and oven can distribute a lot of heat throughout the house, so keep these turned off during the hottest summer days.

If you are needing to cook inside, try using a sandwich press to cook with, as it uses less power and gives off less heat into your kitchen. Dishwashers are another appliance that can release a lot of hot, moist air into your home, so try washing your dishes by hand in the sink.

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Tip #3

Take advantage of your heat pump. A fairly common question that gets asked by Kiwis is “does a heat pump cool air?” - don’t let its name fool you, as heat pumps can cool your home in summer just as efficiently as a standard air conditioning system.

While the heat pump can provide instant relief on those hotter days, it’s important to pay close attention to how you’re using it. Pumping the heat pump/air conditioner all day long will have a massive impact on your power bill.

Try to use it wisely - you can usually pair your heat pump to an app on your phone which switches on the unit when you’re close to home. That way, it’s not running all day long and adding to your summer electricity bill.

Tip #4

If you don’t have an air conditioning system or heat pump, it’s best to opt for an electric fan. As well as being a fraction of the price of an heating or cooling unit, the humble fan can easily keep you cool… if you go about it the right way.

When running your fan, put a bowl of ice in front of it. As the air surrounding the ice gets cooled down, the fan blows that cold air towards you. This cooler air allows for more evaporation, and actually increases the amount of heat your body uses.

Electric fans during summer can be underrated, thanks to how cheaply they run. Running a fan for every day during summer will cost you hundreds of dollars less that if you used an air conditioning unit for four hours a day!

Tip #5

It may seem like an obvious one… but keep hydrated! Sweating can easily dehydrate you, making you more susceptible to heat stroke and heat exhaustion. 

Drinking regular cool glasses of water throughout the day can help to bring your body temperature down. If you’re out and about, be prepared by taking a large, full water bottle with you and keep it in a cool, dry place.

As well as keeping hydrated, be sure to eat little snacks throughout the day. Large, heavy meals will increase your metabolic heat as your body breaks down for food. Opt for eating smaller snacks - they’ll stop you getting hungry and from getting hot and bloated.

Get the best power deal

Many Kiwis find that summertime can have an expensive impact on their monthly electricity bill. Between using the air conditioner and the extra loads of washing during the hotter days, it’s only a given that you may notice your power bill creeping up.

However… saving power and money on your electricity bill may be easier than you think! You can check to see if you’re getting the best power deal by comparing New Zealand’s top electricity providers with Glimp.

Compare and save with Glimp today by using our free online power comparison tool. All you have to do is enter some details: where you live, your current power supplier and how many people live in your home. We’ll be able to tell you if there’s a better deal out there that’ll save you big bucks on your next power bill.