Overview
- Experts and consumer advisers reinforced a prevention-first approach in mid-July, with coverage on Monday stressing that keeping solar heat out is more effective than trying to cool warmed rooms.
- Outside-mounted sun protection such as exterior blinds, shutters or sun‑protection glass blocks most solar radiation before it heats windows and interior surfaces and is identified as the single highest-impact measure.
- Open multiple windows for cross-ventilation only when outside air is cooler than indoor air—typically at night or early morning—to purge stored heat without adding energy costs.
- Turn off or postpone heat-generating appliances (ovens, dryers, powerful computers, old light bulbs) during hot hours because these devices add substantial indoor heat that undermines cooling efforts.
- Use fans for comfort rather than temperature drop and treat mobile air conditioners as a last resort since they consume large amounts of electricity unless their warm exhaust is properly expelled; fixed split systems are more efficient but usually require landlord approval or owner installation.