12 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR HOME COOLER AND YOUR WATER BILL LOWER

Low-cost habits for a long, hot El Niño season

By the H&L Editorial Team

1. Close up by day, open up by night. Shut windows, curtains and blinds on the sunny side of the house during the day. Open them in the evening and early morning to let cooler air in.

2. Make a cross-breeze. Open windows on opposite sides of the room and place a fan near one of them, facing out, to pull hot air outside.

3. Fan plus water. Place a basin of cold water or a frozen water bottle in front of an electric fan for a cheap, mild cooling effect.

4. Set the aircon at 25°C — and use a fan with it. Each degree lower adds to your electric bill. A fan helps spread the cool air so you can keep the thermostat higher.

5. Cool the roof. Light-colored or reflective roof paint, shade nets or even potted plants on a rooftop can reduce the heat that comes through a metal roof.

6. Go green around the house. Climbing vines on sunny walls and potted plants near windows provide shade and cool the air.

7. Cook early or cook less. Use the stove and oven in the cooler morning hours, and choose meals that need less cooking on the hottest days.

8. Unplug the heat-makers. Chargers, TVs and appliances on standby give off heat and use electricity. Switch them off at the socket.

9. Fix every leak. A dripping faucet or running toilet can waste a surprising amount of water each day. Check and repair them now.

10. Use a dipper and pail, not a running hose. Wash cars, floors and dishes with a pail, and take shorter showers.

11. Reuse water wisely. Water used to rinse rice and vegetables can water plants. Final rinse water from laundry can be used for flushing or mopping.

12. Cover your stored water. Every drum and pail should have a tight lid — to keep water clean and to keep dengue mosquitoes from breeding.