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Keep Out The Heat! Design Strategies to Cool Your Home In The Summer

by Glen Shelton

We've all been there — reaching for that cool can of beer or water in the summer and hoping that the sun can just disappear for a moment, googling quick fixes for ways to cool off. Keeping cool in the long-run takes a bit more work but is much more efficient (and better for your wallet). Most people don't realize the design of their house is a major factor in how temperature is maintained within. Here are three strategies that may help you when considering how to make your home more comfortable in the summer.

1. Block out the sun!

It's not uncommon to see sun-shading devices, such as exterior overhead shutters or controllable louvres in the architecture of hotter climates around the world. These devices are there to keep out the intense summer sunlight — high up in the sky — from heating up the inner spaces of your home. In the winter, the lower sun rays means that the sun can still reach in as a passive heating strategy. An even more simpler and cost-effective method is to invest in some light-coloured blinds for the windows that get the most sunlight to block sunlight. Similarly, lighter materials for the exterior roof and walls will ensure that sunlight is reflected away.

2. Insulate your home

Many people think that insulation is only for colder climates to keep warmth in. In fact, insulation also functions to keep heat out in the hot summer months. When radiation travels towards the surface of the Earth, it directly heats up the surfaces of the house like the roof and the walls. Without sufficient insulation, this heat is conducted from the exterior into the interior, heating up the spaces in your home. Inserting a layer of insulation within the envelope of the house prevents conductive heat to travel inwards, acting as a passive cooling strategy.

3. Run your air conditioner efficiently

Keeping cool doesn't mean getting a huge electricity bill in your mail. There are ways to keep your air conditioner running without running a huge cost. If you're considering buying a new air conditioner or installing a new system, consult with a professional from a company like Core Air - Air Conditioning and Refrigeration so you buy an air conditioner that is appropriate for the size of the room and the home. When in use, only cool the rooms that the people in your household are using. Regularly cleaning your filters, and having preventative maintenance by hiring a professional, will ensure it has a longer life and more efficiency. To make your air-con even more efficient, consider draught-proofing your house to make sure that cool air cannot escape (and warm air cannot penetrate).

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