Stay cool the smart way with these beat-the-heat gadgets, many of which can be connected to the Internet and apps on your phone. 

Beat the heat with connected home cooling systems. (Photo for representation purposes only)

It's summer in Australia! That means long days, warm nights and big air conditioning bills.

Stay cool the smart way with these beat-the-heat gadgets, many of which can be connected to the Internet and apps on your phone. 

At Home

Everyone wants a hot day solution that doesn’t break the bank. Investing in modern technology could mean better efficiency and less bill shock.

Wifi Air Conditioning

Forgot to shut down the air conditioning before you left for the day? Don’t race home - just use the app on your phone to turn it off.

Smart air conditioners can tell you the exact temperature in your living room and could even let you know via text message when it is time to clean the filter, reducing the need for servicing and repairs.

Check out: Samsung’s Smart Series Air Conditioner

Smart Fridges

The humble fridge is getting smarter in leaps and bounds. Right now, the best models are designed to reduce humidity and moderate temperature levels, keeping food fresher for longer.

In the near future, your fridge could be able to send you a photo of its contents, letting you check if you need milk or any other grocery item.

You might be able to scan barcodes of products before you put them in to be given suggested recipes and meal ideas. Your future fridge could even order your groceries from a screen on the door.

Check out: LG’s Super-Capacity French Door Refrigerator

Fridge of the future? (Image for representation purposes only)

Intelligent Ceiling Fans

An empty room with the fan going at full blast is a big waste of energy.

Already on sale in the US is a smart fan that senses when people come and go, turning itself off when nobody is around. Users can also adjust the setting of these fans using their smartphone - no need to get up!

Let’s just hope it becomes available Down Under soon...

Check out: Haiku Home’s SenseME fan

Smart scoop ice cream maker

The days of dodgy home made ice cream are behind us. A modern ice cream maker allows you to choose between ice-cream, sorbet and frozen yoghurt consistencies. It will even keep your dessert at the perfect temperature until you are ready to eat it.

Check out: Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker

Don't sweat about watering your garden... just use a smart sprinkler! (Photo for representation purposes only)

Out and about

Enjoy the great outdoors and chill out with these handy devices.

Clever watering systems

It’s not just you that feels the heat. Plants are suffering too! 

Innovative designers have created watering systems that reduce water use by responding to current weather conditions. If it’s raining - they won’t turn on. If it’s cold, they simply use less water.

Remote access means you can switch sprinklers on and off no matter where you are, keeping your plants will be happy hydrated without over-watering them. 

Check out: The Hydrawise Watering System

Portable ice cream maker

Melting a little during your summer picnic? Add the chill factor to your drink with ice that’s ready in under ten minutes.

These little babies can be pricey, coming in at around A$300-400 but if you spend a lot of time in the sun and you’ve just gotta have the blocks, it’s a worthy investment. 

Check out: Overstock.com’s selection of portable ice makers 

Rechargeable fan

Camping or even working outdoors can be very unpleasant when the mercury passes 30 degrees. Prop up a portable, rechargeable fan and bring the breeze wherever you go. The best fans can be recharged or restocked with batteries as a back up.

Check out: Jaycar Electronics Battery Operated Fan

Travel fridge

When the ice maker just won’t do… go for an esky that plugs in.

A quality portable fridge could cool things just as well as the fridge in your kitchen. They are usually powered by plugging in to your car or using sockets available at campsites. You could be able to get away for days at and still enjoy refreshing cold drinks.

Check out: Evacool TMX Travelmate

There’s one way to cool off that requires no plugging in at all - a good old fashioned water fight!