From Guest Blogger Lizzie Weakly: Five Home Updates to Cool Down Your Home This Summer
Summers are long and very hot, so modifying your home to keep it cooler is an investment in your comfort. Putting these tips to work will produce dividends you can feel.
Plant Shade Trees and Shrubs around your Home
Trees and shrubs reduce the amount of sunlight that reaches the house and radiates through the roof and walls to raise the indoor temperature. Choose mature trees and shrubs for immediate benefits. When you plant your favorite fruit trees, you’ll have the added benefit of enjoying late summer and fall delights!
Guard your Windows Against the Sun
Windows allow in more heat than walls, so it is important to provide protection. Consider awnings on the outside to guard the windows most exposed to the sun. Inside, install reflective shades and blinds to repel the heat.
Install a High-efficiency Heat Pump or Air Conditioner
Today’s heat pumps and air conditioners are extremely efficient. It’s quite possible that you can reduce your electric cost for air conditioning by half by replacing your old unit with a quality model from Daikin or Fujitsu. Air conditioning companies like Degree C Pty Ltd. offer a range of split air conditioners and ducted models to create a personalized system to meet your home’s cooling demands.
Adequately Ventilate the Roof Space
Heat trapped in the roof space is forced down into the home. This raises the temperature, causes the air conditioning system to work harder and shortens the life of your roof too. When exhaust vents and ridge vents are added to the roof and vents are installed in gables and soffits, the heat can escape the roof space. This upgrade will cool down your home this summer as well as extend the life of your roof and your air conditioner or heat pump.
Choose a Cool Roofing Color
The Building Code of Australia classifies roof colors into light, medium and dark categories. The lighter the color, the less heat it readily absorbs and transfers into your roof space and home. When choosing a roof, select a light color. For example, if you’re installing roofing tile, then light colors such as pearl, sand and white will resist heat absorption and keep your dwelling cooler throughout the hot summer months.
Each of these improvements will keep your home cool this summer in even the hottest weather. As a bonus, you’ll cut your cooling costs too!
Ah! An article with which I fully agree. Not all of the suggestions would be practical for everyone, but most people can find suggestions which they can use.
Another suggestion would be to use efficient lighting because the air conditioning system has to remove the heat generated by lighting.
It’s interesting that not until recently have efficient mini split air conditioners been effectively marketed here in the U.S. even though they have been the most common type of air conditioner in much of the world for decades.