When summer is around the corner, the concern of beating the heat at home starts to come into focus. High temperatures can make it uncomfortable to remain at home and can also pose health risks to individuals. Luckily, there are things that you can do to cool your house interior more effectively and inexpensively.
In this article, you will find some recommendations on how to avoid the scorching heat and maintain a cool temperature inside your home during the summer season.
1. Block the Heat Before It Enters
Trees or shrubs planted in appropriate positions in and around the house will also help in affording shade on walls and minimizing heat gains. These are most effective in dry areas. The following are some of the most effective types of roofs. Whole-house fans are designed to forcefully extract hot air from your attic and distribute it outside, thus cooling the entire house.
Another effective way to keep your house cool during the hot months is by installing solar panels on your roof. These panels can generate electricity to power your air conditioning system, reducing your overall energy costs.
2. Optimize Airflow and Ventilation
Ventilation enables hot air to be expelled while cool air is introduced into the building or room. Because the weather in the evenings and cooler mornings is conducive to natural air circulation, open windows and doors during such times.
Ceiling fans help in the circulatory movement of air, thereby providing the impression of a cooler environment without actually reducing the temperature. During the hot seasons, the ceiling fans should be set to rotate in the opposite direction to blow the cool air downward to the occupied area.
3. Maintain Your Air Conditioning System
Maintenance enables the air conditioning system to work effectively and keep your house cooler. Have a professional residential air conditioning repair specialist conduct system check-ups and cleanings before the onset of a scorching summer.
Some of the routine activities include cleaning coils, level checks for refrigerants, and system functionality. This not only cools your home faster and more efficiently but also reduces energy consumption and the likelihood of system failure when it is most needed. Regular maintenance of your HVAC system is crucial to ensure it operates smoothly during the hottest and coldest months of the year.
4. Address Underlying Issues
Sometimes, you need to fix problems to achieve your goal of keeping your home cool. Inadequate insulation on your roof results in heat exchange from the roof to the living area. It also suggests that you could think of insulating your attic to reduce its thermal conductivity and avoid heat transfer. This is compounded by loss through gaps around windows, doors, or electrical outlets, among others. Caulk or weather strip these areas to ensure that cool air does not escape or hot air gets in. A technician who specializes in heating system contractors can advise on possible measures that need to be taken for proper insulation or air sealing.
