Top-floor apartments are always in high demand, as is evident from the
real estate market trends in Kochi. After all, you get the best views, you have fewer people and noise, and much less pollution. Being on the top floor certainly has a lot of perks. However, there are a few drawbacks too. Top-floor apartments tend to be the hottest, as there is only the terrace that stands between them and the sun’s heat.
In the summer, it can get pretty uncomfortable, and most people resort to running their air conditioners almost throughout the day. That brings its own problems of huge electricity bills. But wait! There is a middle path; you can bring down the apartment heat in Kochi without incurring high energy costs. All it requires is some creativity and a little effort.
Here are some simple cooling solutions that can help:
The terrace of your flat in Kochi is the main culprit for the excess heat. It absorbs all the sun’s heat and transfers it to your flat below. So you need something that will not allow the terrace to soak up all the heat. Cooling paints are available in the market from all the major paint companies. Apply a layer or two of this paint on the terrace, and the heat is reflected away, helping to regulate the indoor temperature of the top-floor flats.
Solar control glass is a glass with a special coating that blocks up to 70% of the sun’s heat while letting the light come in. Laminated glass can block harmful UV radiation. By replacing regular window glass with these options, you can reduce the amount of heat entering your apartment.
Installing curtains of heavy fabrics is the next best and more economical solution if you don’t want to change the glass in your windows. They effectively block the sun from entering your apartment, ensuring a pleasant ambience.
Reputed builders in Kerala ensure that cross ventilation is included in apartment designs to maximize resident comfort. You just need to remember to open the windows and doors opposite each other in the mornings and evenings so that fresh air comes in, and the hot, stale air is pushed out.
Installing exhaust fans is a good way to promote ventilation. They suck out the indoor air and expel it outside, letting fresh air come in. They are absolutely essential in the kitchen. Heat from cooking can circulate in the whole apartment otherwise, and the smells also linger for a long. When placed in bathrooms, they get rid of foul smells and stale air, keeping the bathrooms fresh and pleasant.
Replace old, heat-generating, high-power-consuming appliances with newer, energy-efficient ones. Examples are BLDS fans, LED lights, 4 or 5 energy star-rated appliances, inverter technology air conditioners and refrigerators. You can save big on electricity bills, and reduce your carbon footprint too. Always run your air conditioner at optimal temperatures to avoid high power consumption.
If there are any gaps in your door and window frames, make sure you plug all of them with paper, foam, styrofoam, or cloth to prevent heat gain and loss of air-cooled air. Insulate ceilings with false ceilings, and your walls with panels of glass, cork, or foam. This helps reduce heat gain significantly.
Potted plants are great coolers. They absorb all the harmful stuff in the air, like toxins, pollutants, and even heat and release moisture, helping to bring down the indoor temperature. What’s more, they provide several other benefits: they help you stay calm and focused, promote better sleep, and improve the aesthetics of your flat.
Summers in Kochi are not just hot, but humid as well. This means a lot of sweat, which can make things very uncomfortable indeed. Remove excess moisture from the air by placing dehumidifiers in the living room and bedrooms.
Apartments on the top floor are certainly the most charming. The minor issue of overheating in the summer can be easily handled by some smart planning and creative thinking, which doesn’t really put a dent in your finances.
Varma Homes brings you some of the most exquisite top-floor apartments, with stunning views of the Kochi skyline and surroundings. Flaunt an address that will be the source of envy, and enjoy the latest lifestyle amenities in our gated community apartments. All our projects are certified by RERA. Our apartment buildings are located in the most prestigious residential neighbourhoods in Kochi.