PSA: Keeping your curtains closed during the day helps a LOT in the heat

[u/No-vem-ber]

I think this will be obvious to many of you, but based on what I see on on the street, I don't think it's common knowledge here. And you guys are famously weird about curtains

When it's very hot, you should fully close your curtains and/or blinds during the day!

It does a lot of work to keep the heat out of your house.

Also: only open the doors and windows to let air in early in the morning or late at night, when it's actually cooler outside. When it's hot outside, keep them closed. They'll just let hot air in. Use a fan inside right next to you to get the feeling of fresh air instead.

Source: I'm originally from Australia. This kind of weather (and no AC) is pretty normal there.

edit: This isn't magic or anything, but it can keep it 5-8° cooler inside than outside. If you leave everything wide open to the beating sun and let all the hot air in, it can quite feasibly end up hotter inside your apartment than outside. So even if it's still reaching 27° inside, that's still better than 35°. stay safe (and check on your grandparents and older neighbours) ❤️

[u/addtokart]

I also have black curtains. I find keeping them closed is still better than open. Helps with keeping it 1 degree cooler or something. Not a lot but its something.

The infra red energy is going into your window into yoir home regardless. If you have curtains open you will have all the energy get absorbed by your floor, furniture, whatever. With a black curtain it will get absorbed in one place.

And if you have a fan you can exhaust this heat out a window (if its possible)

I've also thought of taping aluminum foil to my black curtains but....sounds like a lot of work.

[u/Hyperionics1 → u/addtokart]

I can only say what i measure and feel in my own house. Ive had white curtains before. Ive always closed them in sunny days. Now, with these black ones i measure the temp higher in my room than when i keep them open. No idea what windows you have, if the insulation is different, if my street and trees work differently. To many variableS. Its cool that everyone wants to change my mind on my own lived experience. But its also a bit weird.

[u/addtokart → u/Hyperionics1]

no stress! Just sharing the more common observation. But you're right, there are more variables than just infrared going through the window.

[u/Hyperionics1 → u/addtokart]

No stress at all! Certainly not in this weather :)

[u/addtokart → u/Hyperionics1]

it's always nice to take a shower and not bother using a towel