Growing indoor plants
Growing certain indoor plants is another effective way to beat the summer heat. By performing photosynthesis, plants absorb heat-causing gases like carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide and thus, reduce temperature effectively. Peace Lily, Reed Palm, English Ivy, Boston Fern, Tillandsia are a few indoor plants that can purify the air and keep the indoor temperature low. These plants also absorb humidity in the air, further reducing temperature.
Ventilation
Though ventilation is considered to bring in more heat, the trick lies in doing it at the right time of the day. Shade your house during afternoons and open the windows at dusk to let the relatively cooler evening breeze flow in. This will make your house function like a heat sink and lower the temperatures in the mornings.
Shading
Shading the surroundings of your house is the best way to reduce the internal temperature. While growing trees around the house might not be a solution for all, one could instead grow creepers or flowering plants in the balcony to block the sun’s rays. This could also add to the aesthetic appeal of your house. One could also use thick cloth blinds or khas grass to cover the windows during the day.
Roof top gardening
In cities, the primary cause of heat inside houses is insulation, where atmosphere’s heat is trapped by buildings and roads. Storage of this heat results in rising internal temperature. Growing roof top gardens are an antidote to this problem. Plants absorb most of the heat surrounding the buildings preventing the heat from entering the interiors.
Reflective barriers and false ceiling
Most of the heat inside the house descends from roof, hence blocking that heat path can reduce indoor temperatures effectively. Painting your roof white is one such way. White colour reflects back most of the sun’s heat preventing it from descending the roof. Constructing false ceiling also serves the purpose. Even though these methods require initial investment, they are effective in the long run.