How to keep a cool head in the heat

In the wake of climate change, extreme summer heat can have a serious impact on people’s health. However, there are quite a few measures that can be taken to effectively protect your home against overheating. But: Make sure to use only low-emission products inside your home.

Hot summers have become the rule rather than the exception. High temperatures of more than 30 °C are not uncommon these days, and on the so-called “dog days” temperatures soar to 35 °C and more. Extreme heat causes serious problems for many people and is harmful to their health in the long term. This is all the more true when homes and offices heat up to such a degree that staying inside becomes almost unbearable. Remedial action must be taken. Many people resort to fans or air-conditioning systems to alleviate the heat stress. Although these appliances provide a certain cooling effect, they often cause colds and muscle tension. Moreover, they consume a lot of electricity.

What are the alternatives? It is not without reason that the legislator emphasizes the importance of summer heat protection in the German Energy Act for Buildings (GEG): “Buildings are to be erected in such a way that the sun’s entry is limited by adequate structural summer heat protection in accordance with the recognized rules of technology.” There are several possibilities to protect a building from overheating. First of all, we should take a look at architecture. Buildings in the functional Bauhaus style with clean lines may be in vogue right now, but the good old roof overhang still makes sense. In summer, when the sun is high in the sky, it helps to keep the heat outside. In winter, the low sun can generate solar heat gains. Balconies can also have a similar effect.

In addition, a well-insulated building envelope helps to avoid heat stress. Insulating the facade, the roof or at least the top floor ceiling has a positive effect on the room climate. Since the building envelope can only be as good as its weakest link, it is crucial that windows and doors are also well insulated. However, windows and glass doors need further support by shading devices. Roller shutters, folding shutters, Venetian blinds or awnings protect them from too much sunlight. This is particularly important for roof windows. Shading devices can be conveniently lowered and raised with the help of drives and automatic timers. Modern solar drives help to save electricity.

Good ventilation is also essential on hot days. If you open windows and doors manually, you should do this in the early hours of the morning, preferably before sunrise, when temperatures are at their lowest. But ventilation can also be provided by controlled ventilation systems, which automatically exchange the room air.