If you've already noticed that the air is much cooler at your cottage or in rural areas than if you live in the city, you're absolutely right. The temperature is often higher in cities than in the countryside because of the urban heat islands.
In fact, the brick and asphalt that cover urban areas absorb heat from the sun during the day and reject it at night. Buildings, cars and machinery in cities can make the situation worse by releasing residual heat.
Fortunately, if you live in a city, there are things you can do to help refresh your community. Add plants and greens near your home. Whether on your terrace, land, balcony or inside your property, they will certainly cool the air during hot weather. Areas shaded by trees can be up to 5º C cooler than surrounding areas.
There are also other solutions to reduce heat in the house:
Insulation at a glance
Insulation work on the roof could allow you to counter the high heat and maintain a comfortable temperature in your home.
Roofing
If you are renovating or building your home, choose roofs that are made of fresh materials or reflect sunlight to reduce indoor air temperature. For your next renovation project, choose light-coloured cladding materials for your roof. Providing beneficial effects for fighting heat islands, a white roof can greatly improve the comfort of your home by lowering the ambient temperature by several degrees.
Infiltration
Minimize air and water infiltration from roof accessories such as chimneys, roof vents, soffits and fans. Seal the ceiling as well as around windows, electrical installations and ventilation accessories (bathroom and kitchen hood) to prevent hot air and moisture from seeping in during the summer.