When the temperatures start to rise, things can quickly become uncomfortable inside as well as outside. Even with air conditioning technology, it can be a challenge to keep your home feeling comfortable in the blazing summer sun. With rising energy costs around the country, many homeowners are looking for creative ways to keep their homes cool without breaking the bank.
One of the largest keys to staying cool in the heat is maintaining a good level of air circulation. Stagnant air can often just make you feel hotter than you already are. Your air-conditioning system should be maintained regularly to ensure that it functions properly during the warmer climate. Make sure you get in touch with a company that performs HVAC & Furnace maintenance in Manassas or wherever you live so that the system is in good shape come summer. Additionally, a well-placed fan or window shade can go a long way to saving you money and keeping you from suffering in the heat. If your house does not have stale air, it will usually not get stuffy or cramped. Continuous air flow helps reduce temperatures and keep the home fresh as well.
In the modern world, the assistance of professional architectural designers seems increasingly important for designing houses that can withstand hotter climates and keep a cool temperature. Considering that a home is usually bought to last a long time, it might be necessary to have it constructed in a way that dissipates most of the heat from the outside atmosphere, further reducing its internal temperatures.
In the case of a new home built from scratch, this might be true, but what about an apartment already built? In many newer homes like the models available through Taylor Morrison, innovative design is used to maximize not only space but energy savings in the winter and the summer. You don’t have to buy a completely new home to take advantage of some of their ideas for keeping your home cool and reducing your summertime energy bills.
Windows & Doors
Keep your window blinds closed during the hottest parts of the day especially those that are facing West and South. Choose a light colored fabric to use for your drapes and blinds to help reflect the sun’s powerful rays and keep your homes interior cooler. When you keep your blinds and shades open during the day, the sun and heat can enter at multiple points and create an unpleasant greenhouse effect that will have your air conditioner working overtime.
In the evening, take advantage of the cooling temperatures and open your windows to the fresh air. You can do the same with patio or backyard doors. If you currently have smaller windows in the home, you may benefit from having Renewal by Andersen windows installed which can be of any style and size you prefer. Bigger windows can provide greater air circulation inside the home. You will be surprised at how quickly the trapped warm air in your home is replaced with the refreshing coolness of a night breeze. This will also increase the level of air circulation in your home giving your air conditioner a bit of a break.
Exterior
How you protect the outside of your home from the summer heat can have a huge impact on your comfort. Decorative awnings or exterior shutters are a great way to block out the heat on those sweltering summer days. Additionally, you can paint the exterior of the house white or a bright color. This in turn can help reflect a lot of the intense sunlight keeping the home cool. You may just need to hire professional painters from My House Painter or similar painting firms that can coat the house with the required color. This in turn can also add curb appeal to your property. Apart from that, a carefully placed tree on the west or south side of your house can offer your home natural protection and shade and keep you feeling much more comfortable.
Appliances
Nothing heats a kitchen up quicker than cooking with your oven. During the worst of the hot days, consider grilling instead of baking and keep the inside temperatures down. The heat from your oven can quickly spread through your home and leave you feeling hot and sweaty.
Try doing your laundry at night where the heat from your dryer will not feel so oppressive. Keep your furnace fan on to help with constant air circulation as well as strategically placing floor fans around your home to create a constant breeze. Make sure to change your air conditioner filters often to maximize your unit’s efficiency.
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