Hot days: Five tips to save “about 30% energy”

O hot weather continues and cooling the houses can be a real challenge with the highest temperatures. On this path, the DECO PROTECTION gives some tips that can help – without making the light bill go off!

“ In the warmer hours, you must prevent the heat from entering the house and avoiding some mistakes. Start by reducing the direct exposure of the divisions to the sun and, whenever possible, adopt the following measures ", the consumer protection organization advances. 

DECO PROTECTION five advices that can help save “about 30% energy”:

1. close doors and windows, run blinds or use awnings on windows that receive direct sun;
2. keep the windows closed when the outside air is warmer than the inside;
3. use curtains or other shading elements to limit the entrance of solar radiation;
4. place tall plants near the window to create shade;
5. at night, open two opposite windows to create air currents and refresh the interior of the house. As the walls cool, the house resists the high temperatures during the day.

In addition, “if you can renew your dwelling, bet on improving the insulation of walls, ceiling and floor and always opt for the installation or maintenance of passive shading systems”. 

“ With passive shading systems outside the window, it is able to block solar radiation and prevent its entry into the room. These systems should be made of insulating materials such as PVC or wood, and preferably should be as clear as possible. The window spans should follow the same logic, with the profile of an insulating material such as PVC, wood or aluminum with thermal rupture. The glass composition of the window should be adapted to the sun exposure of the facade”, recommends the consumer protection organization, adding: “In very muffled days and nights, wear light and fresh clothes, avoid physical effort and moisturize yourself well.”.

 Another day of heat: 15 districts of the continent and Madeira under warning

Fifteen districts of mainland Portugal and the Madeira archipelago are today under yellow warning due to the forecast of continued hot weather, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).

The districts of Viseu, Évora, Porto, Vila Real, Setúbal, Santarém, Viana do Castelo, Lisbon, Leiria, Beja, Castelo Branco, Aveiro, Coimbra, Portalegre and Braga will be under yellow warning until 18:00 today due to the persistence of high values of the maximum temperature.

Also the archipelago of Madeira is until 18:00 Tuesday under the yellow level because of the hot weather.

The yellow warning is the least serious of a three-scale and is issued whenever there is a risk situation for certain activities dependent on the weather situation.

The IPMA predicts for today on the continent a continuation of warm weather with low cloudy or clear skies, moderate wind from the northwest during the afternoon, small rise of minimum temperature and small descent of maximum on the west coast.

The minimum temperatures will oscillate between 15 degrees Celsius (Braga and Bragança) and 26 (Portalegre) and the maximum between 28 (Aveiro and Viana do Castelo) and 38 (Évora and Santarém).