When the heat settles in for months at a time, the instinct is to turn the thermostat down and hope for the best. A few simple changes to your home can keep you comfortable while your cooling system works far less hard.
Stop the heat before it gets inside
The easiest heat to deal with is the heat that never enters. Sunlight striking windows and walls is the biggest source of unwanted warmth in most homes, so shading the outside of the house is far more effective than closing blinds inside.
- Add deep porches, pergolas or awnings over sun-facing windows.
- Plant shade trees and climbing vines on the hottest sides of the house.
- Choose light-coloured, reflective roofing and exterior paint.
- Fit exterior solar screens on windows that take the afternoon sun.
Smarter windows make a big difference
Older, thinly glazed windows let heat pour in. Modern insulated glazing with a low-emissivity coating reflects much of that heat while still letting daylight through. Careful sealing around the frames stops hot air from sneaking in through gaps you cannot see.
Simple tip: On a hot afternoon, hold your hand near each window. If you can feel warmth radiating from the glass, that window is a strong candidate for replacement or shading.
Keep the air moving
Ceiling fans do not lower the temperature, but the gentle breeze makes a room feel noticeably cooler, so you can set your thermostat higher without losing comfort. Choose fans sized to the room and set them to spin counter-clockwise in summer.
Let the house breathe at night
When evenings cool down, open windows on opposite sides of the house to create a cross breeze, and use an attic or whole-house fan to push trapped heat out. Close up again in the morning to hold that cooler air inside.
Do not forget the attic
Good attic insulation and ventilation keep the roof's heat from radiating down into living spaces. Combined with a reflective roof, it is among the most effective and least visible comfort upgrades you can make.
Want to know which of these changes would help your home most? Our team can take a look and recommend the simplest, most effective plan.