Smart and no-sweat options to chill out at home

Staying cool this summer doesn't mean you have to spend a fortune to make your home a haven of comfort. Take a look at these smart, no-sweat options that will tempt you to stay indoors

UAE summers are an entity unto themselves. Most of us get through them by bracing ourselves, sticking the thermostat on the lowest setting for the entire season and hoping for the best. However, there is so much more we can do to make ourselves and our homes more comfortable — and save some money in the bargain. Two things are central to achieving a cooler home: efficiency — of the technology we use and of the surroundings in which we deploy this technology; and well planned interior concepts.
Let's start with the new technological investments we can make this summer. Sometimes it seems as though home air-conditioning units just aren't designed to withstand the humidity and blazing temperatures we have to suffer during this region's hottest months. Leaking coolant, reduced efficiency, eventual meltdown — sound familiar?
All this may be a thing of the past this summer. LG has come to our aid with Titan — a new product — a premium residential air-conditioning model. This updated version of an already successful, high-tech LG air-conditioner is specifically designed to deliver powerful cooling and to withstand the region's often punishing weather conditions.
So how does it work? The Titan can blast out cool air over a distance of up to ten metres — the longest range of any air-conditioner on the market today. The Jet Cool function and the four-way swing system enable the unit to blow cool air in practically any direction at maximum speed, making rooms cooler in the shortest possible time. Additionally, a special multistage tropical compressor ensures powerful cooling even in extreme weather conditions.
H.S. Paik, president of LG Electronics Gulf FZE offers consumers helpful advice when looking to refit their home-cooling system this summer: "Consider what you need the air-conditioning unit to provide and do research before deciding on the product. Important things to look for include optimum cooling capacity of the air-conditioner and capability of the filtration system to ensure good-quality air and, if possible, the filtration of dust, allergens and virus spores. Look at the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER), which is directly related to an air-conditioner's power input; the higher the EER, the better the efficiency and the lower the power consumption. Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is also very important for the ME region, as a good SEER ratio indicates improved power consumption during summer when the air-conditioner is being used the most. Finally, ensure that the air-conditioner is certified as a safe product and installed by certified engineers. LG's Air-conditioning Academy located at Jebel Ali (04-8051472) can provide assistance to potential users and help them make the right choice."
If you're looking for double insurance on the cool front this summer and want to supplement your central air-conditioning system further but without compromising on style, Dyson has the perfect cooling technology. Their Air Multiplier fan range was launched recently in Dubai's Jumbo Electronics stores. The new desk, pedestal and tower fans work differently from conventional fans by using Air Multiplier technology to draw in air and amplify it by 15-18 times. The result? An uninterrupted stream of smooth air, with no unpleasant buffeting. "I've always been disappointed by fans. The spinning blades chop up the airflow, causing buffeting. They're hard to clean and children always want to poke their fingers through the grille, so we've developed a new type of fan that doesn't use blades," James Dyson says.
Whatever cooling system you have at home — old or new — there are many small changes that you can make around the home and in your lifestyle this summer to ensure your cooling system is running at its most efficient capacity, most of which won't cost you a single fil.
Lifestyle changes
- Over the summer months, keep your home closed tight during the day. Don't let in unwanted heat and humidity.
- Keep your home well ventilated at all times of the day - preferably with the air-conditioner set at a suitable level to keep moisture and humidity at bay. If you live in an older building with a central air-conditioning system that suffers habitual breakdowns as soaring temperatures precipitate an unserviceable demand, electric fans will provide a satisfactory back-up and much-needed ventilation to protect your personal effects from humidity damage.
- AC maintenance is key. Normal dust build-up can reduce air flow by 1 per cent per week. Replace or clean your AC's intake filter once a month to allow for greater airflow and ensure your air-conditioning units and vents are clean and unobstructed at all times. Have your AC serviced once a year to make sure it's running at peak efficiency.
- Resist using a dehumidifier when your air-conditioner is on. The dehumidifier will increase the cooling load and force the air-conditioner to work harder.
- If you don't need a light on, turn it off. Lightbulbs generate heat while producing light and this is highly undesirable in the summer. Use Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) as these use 75 per cent less energy and produce 75 per cent less heat than incandescent lightbulbs or use LED lights which use even less energy and give off less heat.
- Other common sources of internal heat gain include appliances, electronic devices, the oven and steam. Try to keep cooking at a minimum or only at night; minimise midday washing, using the dryer and having hot showers. Humidity makes the room feel warmer, so keep it to a minimum and make sure you turn on ventilating fans to help extract warm, moist air.
DIY checks
- If you're conscious of the damage that air conditioners do to the environment - the fossil fuels they burn will end up making your summers hotter - a great alternative is the classic ceiling fan. They don't use much energy, but this one appliance can make a room feel six or seven degrees cooler. Good fans make it possible for you to raise your thermostat setting and save on air-conditioning costs.
- Apply V-Cool filter films to windows if necessary: the latest news in window technology is "low-e films" for low-emissivity. These thin metal coatings block most solar heat gain while transmitting most visible light.
- Paint your roof and walls white - if you live in a villa and get permission, paint your roof and exterior walls with a specially formulated reflective paint or just paint it white. The reflective effect will help to keep your home much cooler.
Landscaping and interiors
If you live in a villa or have outdoor space surrounding your home that you are able to attend to, there are a few minor landscaping adjustments that will help keep your home cool.
- Install awnings on south-facing windows, where there's insufficient roof overhang to provide shade.
-Plant trees around the house.
- Avoid landscaping with lots of unshaded rock, cement or asphalt because it increases the temperature around the house and radiates heat to the house after the sun has set.
- Hang tightly woven screens or bamboo shades outside the window during the summer as this can stop 60-80 per cent of the sun's heat from getting to the windows.
Interiors have a significant role to play in cooling your home over the summer, from the quality of fabrics you choose to the materials making up your accessories and surfaces right through to the psychology of colours. Your decor and furnishings will either enhance or work against any technological cooling system in place.
Breathable fabrics such as cotton and silk should replace non-breathable synthetics for summer to keep your skin cool and fresh. When choosing the colour scheme for your fabrics and home, bear in mind that our experience of colour is based on our personal and cultural associations. Colours are seen as warm or cool due to our life experiences and long-held associations. Yellow, orange and red are associated with heat - from fire or the sun; blue and green with the coolness of water, sea, sky and foliage. The psychological association of a colour is often more meaningful in terms of effect than the immediate visual experience, so surround yourself with cool, fresh colours that have refreshing associations such as blue, green, beige and grey. White is also a cool colour due to its reflective qualities and is perfect for summer window treatments.

- The Titan features LG's air-purifying system equipped with special features that efficiently cleanse and purify the circulating air. Longevity has also been integrated into the Titan's design to ensure it withstands the punishing demands of consumers in the region: it can function continuously for 24 hours a day in temperatures up to 60°C and the anti-corrosion Gold Fin coating gives added resistance. LG showrooms, DG Sharaf and select Carrefour stores, Dh2,699.
- With variable airflow, adjustable positioning, impressive stability and strength, what more could you ask for in a fan? Well, hygiene and safety are key features: the Air Multiplier is easily wiped clean with a cloth, preventing hazardous dust build-up that hampers the performance of conventional fans and AC units. Besides, there is no blade or grille, thus making it child-friendly. Jumbo Electronics, Dh1,119. Visit www.dyson.ae for details.
- Choose a cool breezy blue as a background colour and then light, airy, white furniture to give a clean, fresh feel. Metropolitan Club 2 Seater Sofa, Dh22,100; Metropolitan Club Armchair, Dh14,050; Taiga Rug Skin, Dh8,625; Tresor Side Table, Dh6,150; Tresor Coffee Table, Dh8,875 — all available at B5.
- Cotton-covered cool green and white chair, Irony Home, Dh6,500.
- The Nautilus beach-inspired range of cushions tick all the boxes: breathable fabric and cool colours. The cushions are nautically themed so you can at least dream of enjoying cool sea breezes — even if you're far from the coast. Freedom Furniture, Dh79-Dh99.
- Stone wall treatments boast natural cooling qualities as they don't retain heat easily unless placed in direct sunlight. Grey is another colour to consider for your furniture and soft furnishings as we associate it with the cool touch of stone. Jensen Supreme Continental Sofline II bed, B5, Dh7,800 for the headboard and Dh11,200 for the mattress (both king size). Ottoman, Dh7,750.
- Shiny stone surfaces give off a cool, watery effect when they reflect light and this Ariano vase is in stone grey — a colour we associate with a "cool touch". B5, Dh820.
- Metallic accessories and surfaces also give off a "cool touch" vibe; the Bata vase (15cm) and Ming vase (13cm) are available from B5 at Dh1,625 and Dh1,100 respectively.
- Inspired by nature and the cool outdoors, Diane Von Furstenberg's 100 per cent soft Floral Batik set is a comfortable choice in hot temperatures. Bloomingdale's Home. Duvet cover, Dh1,500 and pillowcase, Dh450.
L- inen and cotton are excellently cool choices for soft furnishings and upholstery as they're breathable fabrics and it's an added bonus if you can find them in icy blue colours. Fraiser cushions, Freedom Furniture, Dh99.
- Using light colours for curtains will keep the room feeling fresh, but ensure the fabric is opaque so as to block incoming sunlight. White reflective modesty curtains between the window and the curtains will keep incoming heat out while still allowing natural light to flow in. The combination of the two layers allows you to control the flow of light and heat in the room. Set of peach curtains, Western Furniture, price on request.
- Junckers Merbau Parquet, 22mm Soul Collection Solid Wood flooring will provide a cool surface that will help maintain lower temperatures throughout the home and is softer and more luxurious to the touch than cold stone or marble. B5, Dh485-Dh860 per square metre.
- Rainbow Garden by Diane Von Furstenberg, made of 100 per cent cotton. Bloomingdale's Home, duvet cover, Dh1,500 and pillowcase, Dh450.
- Try offers 100 per cent silk bed linen for those sticky summer nights. Made from only the finest "A" grade mulberry silk and designed in-house, Gingerlily products are not just glamorous, these also ensure you get a cool and comfortable night's sleep. The ultimate breathable material, silk helps regulate body temperature and is hypoallergenic — making it a great choice for allergy sufferers. Silk also mimics the protein we have in our skin, helping to keep hair soft and preventing skin from drying out while minimising wrinkles. Ivory Taupe bedcovers, Dh2,000 for a double duvet cover and Dh405 for a pillowcase, Selva, Dubai.
- Gingerlily Dandy collection, Silver. Double duvet cover, Dh1,675, and pillowcase, Dh320, Selva, Dubai.
— Beatrice Boardman is a UAE-based fashion and interiors consultant
Source http://gulfnews.com/