During the summer, the days are longer, and temperatures are warmer. Just as the winter temperatures can damage your home, the summer weather can be unfriendly.
A recent study suggests that the costs of damage caused by extreme weather disasters in Australia have doubled. For this reason, learning the best ways to protect yourself and your property is essential. Here are seven ways to protect your home from extreme heat.
Put on a Fresh Coat of Paint
Dark hues attract and absorb the sun’s heat, so painting your home exterior with bright reflecting colours is an amazing long-term solution for keeping it cool. This may seem extreme, but the benefit goes beyond helping with temperature management.
Painting is a generally good way to maintain overall home care and boost your curb appeal. For instance, a study reports that new white paint can reflect roughly 98% of the sun’s heat. So it is no surprise that whitewashed buildings are a mainstay in the Mediterranean.
Turn-Up Your AC
Keeping your air conditioner in good working condition is a year-round task. And late spring is a good time to have an HVAC expert examine your unit so you don’t have to deal with a malfunctioning A/C during the steamy days. A routine tune-up comprises examining the thermostat, filters, condensate and contactor lines, evaporator coil, and cleaning electrical connections.
If you have an A/C tune-up and the cold air seems like it’s labouring to move through your home’s air vents, you could have your ductwork checked. They might be clogged, malfunctioning, or leaking air. There is a little hack for when your A/C isn’t working, and you forgot to conduct maintenance. You can put a small basin or pan of ice in front of a fan for an icy-cold wind that won’t cost you a fortune.
Adjust Your Ceiling Fans
Adjusting the direction of your ceiling fan is a fast and inexpensive way to prepare your home before the next heat wave.
Changing the direction to make your blades spin counter clockwise can remove the hot air in the space. The airflow behind the ceiling fan would push down, providing a wind-chill effect that keeps you cool. Just remember to reverse the fan orientation clockwise in the cooler months.
Invest in Energy-Efficient Windows
It might be useful to replace your old windows with energy-efficient alternatives if your property is exposed to direct sunlight throughout the summer. Sun rays entering your home through your windows can cause damage to the surfaces.
Investing in energy-efficient ones may be costly initially, but the payoff is worthwhile. Additionally, you can use tablecloths and placemats to protect your home items, such as dinner tables, from the extreme heat.
Weather-Minded Landscaping
Extreme heat can affect your landscape and, in effect, your curb appeal. This makes it necessary to put measures in place to protect it.
A little shade during the warmest hours of the day can make your home feel cooler and help plants survive better than they would in direct sunlight. And a pergola or shade tree is good enough.
Mulch is also a good way to protect the soil from the sun and discourage weeds from growing. It is also advisable to water in the morning when the heat is not much to prevent quick water evaporation. Experts recommend using a soaker hose that dispenses water more slowly and evenly.
Change Your Lighting
It may sound surprising, but lighting can contribute to the heat you experience in the home during the hotter months. For instance, incandescent light bulbs have been shown to produce so much heat and can make it challenging to keep your home cool. While this type of lighting was phased out years ago in Australia, some homes still use them.
Consider switching to more energy-efficient options to keep your home cool and save you money on utility bills. It is a way to kill two birds with a stone!
For many, summers are great for BBQs, beach and pool dipping. However, some days aren’t so fun. These tips should keep your home cool and comfortable, protect your items, and save money.
What do you think?