SPF your house over summer
When those super hot summer days and nights eventually come around, all you will want is a safe haven to save you from the heat. These are a few steps you can take to stay cool when the weather heats up.
• Make sure your ceilings are insulated - insulation can help keep out the suns heat
• Set your ceiling fans to rotate anti-clockwise.
• Turn your fans around, face them towards an open window so they can blow the hot air out of the house. Fill a mixing bowl with ice (or something equally cold, like an ice pack), and position it at an angle in front of a large fan so the air whips off the ice in an extra-chilled, extra-misty state. Trust us: It’s magic.
• If you have a heat pump, try out the fan-only or dehumidifier options to cool your house. They use less power than air conditioning and are still effective.
• Keep the windows open overnight and then close them in the morning to try and hold in the cold air.
• Install safety catches on your windows so you can leave them open all day, even when you're out.
• Close blinds or curtains to keep sunlight out during the hottest hours of the day, especially on windows that get direct sun. Some blinds are designed to let you see out, but still block most of the direct UV rays. As simple as this tip may seem, closing your curtains and blinds essentially prevents your home from becoming a miniature greenhouse.
• Turn off unnecessary lights and electrical appliances – this reduces a home's heat load.
• When cooking, keep windows open, put lids on saucepans and use an extractor fan to reduce steam and heat.
• Ventilate – keep doors or windows open at opposite ends of the house to create a through-draught, or cross ventilation.
• Closing off unused rooms will prevent cool air from permeating these areas during the hottest part of the day. You’ll want to capitalize on the cooler night hours, too, letting air flow naturally through your home.
• Start the barbie - It’s obvious, but we’re going to say it anyway: using your oven or stove in the summer will make your house hotter. If it already feels like 50 degrees in your home, the last thing you want to do is turn on an oven.
• Make a few long-term improvements - you can make a couple changes to your home that will keep it cooler for seasons to come. Insulated window films, for example, are a smart purchase as they work similarly to blinds. And additions like awnings and planting trees or vines near light-facing windows will shield your home from the sun’s rays, reduce the amount of heat your home absorbs and make your investment even more worthwhile.
Hopefully these were of some use to you, and if you have anything to add or any comments please do below!
Poll: Does a savoury scone require cheese on top, or folded inside?
Help settle the great kiwi debate ... cheese on top, or folded inside?
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76.1% Inside!
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23.9% On top!
Mr Minit in Chartwell: Be wary
Hi all,
Just sharing my experience. I had the battery for my car key replaced in March 2025 at Mr. Minit in Chartwell. I was given a one‑year warranty, which seemed impressive at the time.
However, the battery stopped working early Mar 26. With the warranty card, I brought the key back to have it checked and replaced. What I didn’t realise was that the battery was *not* actually replaced. He only tested it with a meter. When I asked whether he had replaced the battery, he said “yes,” but that wasn’t true. He then said he had tested the battery level and there was no need to replace it. When I asked to see the meter, it showed the battery was in the green zone which means it was ok.
I was then advised that I might need to replace the entire key unit. I asked whether he had properly troubleshot the issue to confirm it was the battery and not the key itself. His reply was that he normally doesn’t do that, but I was a “special case.” That means, the warranty card was a misrepresentation and there was no real intention of replacing the battery when it was faulty.
After he finally replaced the battery with a new one, my key worked perfectly again.
**Lesson learned:**
Make sure you take a photo of your warranty card. I feel like the warranty is mostly for show — if I had lost it, I would have been charged another $20+ for a battery. Worst still, I would have to pay more to change the key unit unnecessarily.
Make sure you witness that they replace your old battery with a new one if it's still under warranty.
Got more greens than you know what to do with? 🥦🌱🥕
Whether it’s a courgette takeover or a feijoa frenzy, don’t let those garden gems go to waste!
Our suggestion to you: Did you know you can grate and freeze excess courgettes to use in chocolate cake later? It sounds a bit dodgy, but it makes the cake incredibly moist ... and hey, it counts as a serving of veg, right? 🍫
What’s your go-to move for a bumper harvest? Drop your best "glut" recipes or preservation hacks in the comments below! 👇
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