Managing Overheating in existing house, or apartment?
Keep blinds down during the day
When you're not at home, keeping blinds or curtains closed helps block direct sunlight before it enters, preventing excessive indoor heat buildup. Light-colored or reflective blinds work best to reduce heat gain.
Maximize ventilation, especially at night
Use windows and extract fans to increase airflow, particularly in the evening when outdoor temperatures are cooler. Cross-ventilation helps flush out trapped heat and replace it with cooler air.
Stop drafts
Check that window and door seals are properly closing to prevent hot air infiltration. Use draft stoppers for doors and windows during the hottest periods—they're just as effective in summer as they are in winter.
Seal gaps in your building envelope
Improve airtightness by sealing gaps around downlights, power sockets, and ventilation extract fans. Use airtight fittings or dampers to prevent unwanted heat entry when systems are not in use.
Increase insulation
Insulation helps maintain indoor temperatures by slowing heat transfer in both summer and winter. Focus on adding insulation in the roof space first, then the walls, and finally the floor. Upgrading windows to low-E glass with a g-value of less than 0.5 can also help reduce solar heat gain and improve comfort.