How to cool your home without air conditioning: Somfy solutions

Cooling your home without air conditioning and in a sustainable way has become increasingly important, especially in a context of climate change and rising energy costs. The use of an air conditioner, in fact, is certainly effective, but it involves high energy consumption and negative environmental impacts.

In this article, we reveal tips and tricks to keep your home cool without having to resort to air conditioning during the summer. In addition to natural methods and healthy habits, smart solutions to increase thermal comfort and energy savings, such as those offered by Somfy, can help us.
 

Why choose alternative methods to air conditioning?

The use of air conditioning, although effective in counteracting the heat, has significant disadvantages: high energy consumption that translates into expensive summer bills and a significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for global warming. Additionally, excessively cold and dry environments can cause health problems, such as sore throats and allergies. 

In light of these factors and the growing importance of environmental sustainability, it becomes crucial to explore alternative methods that can reduce our ecological impact and maintain a more natural living comfort.  
 

How to "stay cool" indoors without air conditioning

Making your home cooler without air conditioning may seem like a challenge, but with a few tricks and smart solutions, you can maintain a comfortable environment even on the hottest days. 
 

Tips and tricks to make your home cooler in summer

Natural ventilation and drafts

It's a good idea to open your windows at night, when the temperature outside is cooler, and close them during the day to keep the fresh air inside. Where possible, it is very useful to create drafts by opening windows on opposite sides of the house. Placing fans to promote air circulation can also help improve the cooling effect. 
 

Thermal insulation

Good thermal insulation of the walls and roof can significantly reduce heat build-up, as can investing in double-glazed windows and sealing any gaps. Installing thick or blackout curtains can also prevent the sun from entering the rooms. 
 

Light fabrics and light colors

Using lightweight fabrics and light colors for curtains, upholstery, and bedding can help reflect sunlight and keep rooms cooler. Natural materials such as cotton and linen are ideal for their ability to breathe and keep surfaces cool. 
 

Roller shutters and use of external shading structures

Closing blinds during the hottest hours and using pergolas, umbrellas, and awnings to create shaded areas on the outside of windows and doors can significantly reduce heat ingress. Even simply installing curtains or blinds on the outside of windows can make a big difference.
 

Plant Usage

Climbing plants and vertical gardens not only enhance the aesthetics of the house, but also create shaded areas and cool the air. It may also be useful to place plant pots in front of windows exposed to the sun.
 

Avoid internal heat sources

It is advisable to reduce the use of appliances that generate heat, such as an oven or hairdryer, during the hottest hours of the day. It is also preferable to cook in the evening or early in the morning. Of course, it's crucial to turn off unnecessary lights and electronics, keeping in mind that many appliances consume energy and generate heat even when they're on standby.
 

Fans and dehumidifiers

As an alternative to air conditioners, ceiling or portable fans can be used. Dehumidifiers can also be useful if you live in humid areas, reducing the feeling of sultriness.
 

Intelligent management of roller shutters, blinds and sun screens

As we have already said, to cool the house, it is essential to close the shutters and curtains in the middle of the day. Somfy's smart solutions allow you to fully automate this process.

Automating and intelligently managing roller shutters and solar shading offers numerous advantages. These systems improve thermal insulation, reducing the amount of heat that penetrates inside and thus decreasing the need to use air conditioning, resulting in energy savings. They also protect interiors from damage caused by UV rays, preserving the appearance of the furniture and extending its lifespan.

Somfy's roller shutters, awnings, pergolas and other motorised sun screens are designed to offer precise and intelligent control over light and heat management. In fact, these devices can be programmed to close automatically during the hottest hours of the day, effectively blocking outside heat and keeping the indoor environment cool. In combination with sensors that detect temperature and brightness, they activate the shields at the right time to ensure effective insulation. 

Of course, another aspect that should not be underestimated concerns the possibility of remotely controlling their operation, so that they can be closed even when you are away from home or when you forget. 
 

Somfy Climate and TaHoma Switch 

The Somfy Climate range offers automated solutions for indoor climate management, improving comfort and reducing energy consumption. 

Amy sun protect io, for example, is a smart switch that uses sensors to monitor indoor temperature and automate the control of solar shading, limiting heat peaks during the hottest hours.

A home automation ecosystem requires a control hub. Somfy's TaHoma Switch home automation hub allows you to intelligently manage all motorized devices in your home, including roller shutters, blinds and solar shading.  

From the instructions of TaHoma Switch we know that it is possible to create custom scenarios that are automatically activated based on specific conditions, such as the time of day or the outside temperature.

Here are some examples of scenarios you can create with TaHoma Switch:

• Daytime scenario: during the hottest hours, it can automatically close the blinds, turn off all the lights, and close the garage door;
• Evening scenario: in the evening hours, the screens can open to let in fresh air, while the lights gradually turn on to create a cozy environment;
• Holiday scenario: when you are away from home, you can simulate your presence by turning lights and shutters on and off, keeping your home safe and fresh.
   

Keeping the house cool with home automation: not just shutters and solar screens

In addition to managing roller shutters and other solar shading, home automation can go a long way in keeping your home cool during the summer. Here's how:

• Smart lighting: Smart LED lights can be programmed to match natural light, reducing heat production and energy consumption. Brightness sensors automatically adjust the intensity of the interior lights, maintaining a pleasant environment without overheating;
• Door and window management: sensors and actuators allow windows and doors to be opened and closed automatically to promote natural ventilation;  
• Garage control: Automating the closing of the garage door can prevent the ingress of warm outside air, keeping indoor environments cooler;  
• Home appliance management: using smart plugs to completely turn off appliances when not in use can help reduce indoor heat and energy consumption;
• Personalized scenarios: as we have already seen, smart devices such as the TaHoma Switch allow the creation of automated routines aimed at improving the thermal comfort of the home. 

Home automation therefore offers integrated and automated control of key elements of the home, improving energy efficiency and maintaining a comfortable environment during the summer. 

These tips and tricks, integrated with Somfy's advanced solutions, can help keep your home cool without having to resort to air conditioning. 
 

With extensive experience as a content creator and digital marketer, Angelica collaborates with major technology portals, focusing on innovation, home automation, smart home and smart lifestyle. He has played key roles in digital marketing for internationally renowned companies and led the Smart Home and DIY department of Amazon Italy.