Summers in Luxembourg are getting hotter and hotter, and residents living in poorly insulated homes are the first to suffer. Do you find your home too hot in summer? Here are 10 tips to help you cool your home (without air conditioning!)
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Before you start: why cool down without using an air conditioner?
There are three main reasons for this:
- Because it's not very environmentally friendly. Traditional air-conditioning consumes a lot of energy and uses refrigerant fluids which are powerful greenhouse gases (and therefore accelerate climate change).
- This could cost you a lot in electricity: In addition to the cost of the air conditioner and installation, running it alone can cost you €10 a day in electricity. Even more on hot days! Over a summer (July-August), the bill can exceed €600 for air conditioning alone. In a country where energy costs are already high, this is not a negligible consideration.
- Because it's not very good for your health: sudden changes in temperature between indoors and outdoors can lead to colds, sore throats and respiratory infections, even in summer. If you can, you might as well avoid it!
Short-term solutions for cooling your home in summer
1. Manage the opening of windows and shutters intelligently
In Luxembourg, we are lucky enough to have nights that are generally cooler than in Mediterranean countries. So this technique remains one of the most effective: close windows, shutters and curtains during the day, then open them wide in the evening and at night to create natural ventilation.
Open windows are responsible for 30% of the heat entering your home, especially those facing south and west. By keeping them closed during the hot hours (generally between 10am and 8pm in Luxembourg), you can reduce the indoor temperature by 1 to 3.5°C.
If your house has several storeys, take advantage of the "chimney effect" by opening the top and bottom windows simultaneously: the warm air will naturally escape through the top.
2. Use damp curtains and fabrics
This simple and cost-effective method involves Hang a sheet or cloth dampened with cold water in front of your half-open windows. The hot air entering your home is cooled by the evaporation of the water.
This tip is ideal for south-facing homes in Luxembourg, particularly in new buildings with large windows. Repeat the operation as soon as the fabric becomes dry to maintain the cooling effect.
Bonus: you can also hang your freshly washed clothes near the windows. The evaporation of the water will help to reduce the heat, while saving you the use of an energy-hungry tumble dryer.
3. Use indoor plants to freshen the air
Plants are not just decorative: they absorb heat and regulate ambient humidity through evapotranspiration.
For optimum effect, choose plants with large leaves such as Ficus elasticathe indoor palm, the spider plant (Chlorophytum) or the Sansevieria. Place them near the windows, in the corridor or in the entrance hall to maximise their cooling effect.
Outside, if you have a garden or terrace, consider planting trees or hedges to the south and west of your home. These plantings will create natural shade and allow you to stay 2 to 3°C cooler indoors.
4. Temporarily remove carpets and rugs
Textiles on the floor retain heatThis is ideal in winter but problematic in summer. If possible, remove them temporarily to allow your floors to breathe and enjoy their natural freshness.
If you have tiled floors, you can occasionally wipe them with a slightly damp cloth. The evaporation will help to cool the air in the room.
5. Limit the use of household appliances
Domestic appliances generate a lot of heat, even on standby. During hot periods, Limit the use of the oven, tumble dryer, dishwasher and other energy-consuming equipment.
Favour cold meals or quick cooking. If you absolutely must use these appliances, it's best to do so early in the morning or late in the evening, when temperatures are milder.
6. Optimise the use of fans
Fans consume much less electricity than air conditioners, while still providing a pleasantly cool sensation. For maximum efficiency, place a bowl of ice cubes or a bottle of frozen water in front of the fan. The propelled air is naturally cooled, creating an economical home-made "air-conditioning" system.
Place a fan in the corridor between a cooler and a warmer area to create a draught, or near an open window in the evening to bring in fresh outside air.
7. Install solar films on your windows
Anti-heat films are an affordable and effective solution for limiting the ingress of heat through windows. They repel up to 90% of solar radiation before they get inside your home, while allowing light to pass through.
This solution can make a significant difference, especially in homes with very large glazed areas.
Long-term solutions to improve your comfort in summer
8. Opt for high-performance thermal insulation
Good insulation doesn't just keep you warm in winter: it also plays a crucial role in keeping you cool in summer.
Start with insulating the roofThis is where most of the heat escapes in winter and where heat penetrates in summer. In a poorly insulated house, the temperature in the attic can reach 40°C or more on a sunny day. Attic insulation can reduce this temperature by more than 10°C.
You should also consider installing external blinds or brise-soleil, which are particularly effective at blocking the heat before it reaches your windows. Unlike indoor solutions, they prevent the sun's rays from heating your home via the greenhouse effect.
The advantage: you can benefit from a wide range of renovation grants for this type of work in Luxembourg. Calculate your grants using our online simulator.
9. Install an environmentally-friendly cooling system
For optimum comfort all year round, there are several cooling systems you can install in your home:
- An ecological air conditioner with no refrigerant gas and low consumption (like this one). These units must be connected externally and are generally monoblocs.
- A reversible heat pump : perfect if you want to take advantage of the opportunity to change your main heating system (plus you can earn financial aid).
- Underfloor heating and cooling : If you want to carry out a major renovation, you can install an underfloor heating system in winter and a cooling system in summer. To work, it needs to be connected to an underfloor heating system. reversible air-water heat pump.
10. Consider air conditioning
If, despite all these solutions, you still feel the need to install air conditioning, particularly if you live in an attic or are particularly sensitive to heat, Opt for eco-responsible models and use them wisely.
The best choice is an A++ or A+++ model (maximum energy efficiency). Ideally, to limit energy consumption, improve the thermal insulation of your house or flat.
To find out more, see our air conditioner guide 2026.
Conclusion: a combined approach for maximum effectiveness
To cool your home effectively in Luxembourg during the summer, the best approach is to combine several of the solutions presented in this article. Start with the free tips, such as intelligent window and shutter management or the use of humidified fabrics, then gradually add more permanent installations to suit your needs and budget.
Bear in mind that renovation solutions, although initially more expensive, offer an attractive return on investment. thanks to energy savings, public financial aid and improved comfort throughout the year.