OUTFITTING YOUR HOME FOR A RELENTLESS SUMMER

As summers grow hotter and longer, extreme heat will strain air conditioning systems and drive up energy bills, leading to rolling blackouts and uncomfortable, unsafe living conditions. However, with smart design choices, energy-efficient technology, and small lifestyle adjustments, you can transform your home into an energy-efficient oasis capable of withstanding the summer heat.

Here are several strategies to outfit your home for a relentless summer.

Good insulation is one of the most effective ways to keep your home cool. Many homes are designed to keep heat in, not out. Start by improving insulation in walls, attics, and floors. Attics, in particular, can trap heat, which radiates down into your living space, so consider adding reflective barriers or roofing, and thermal insulation to your attic. Seal any gaps around windows, doors, and vents to prevent cool air from escaping. Weather-stripping and caulking are also simple, inexpensive fixes that can dramatically improve your home’s ability to stay cool.

Windows, especially those with large panes or poor insulation, are the main way hot air enters homes. Installing energy-efficient, double-pane windows with low-emissivity coatings helps reflect heat and block UV rays, keeping your home cool without sacrificing natural light.

Shading your windows is another crucial strategy. Use awnings, shutters, or even shade sails outside your windows to block direct sunlight. Inside, try blackout curtains, blinds, or window films that reflect heat. Planting trees or tall shrubs near windows is another natural way to provide shade while adding to your home’s aesthetic.

Outdated AC units waste tons of energy and often can’t keep up with the heat. If your system is more than 10 years old, it’s probably time to upgrade to a newer, energy-efficient model. Look for air conditioners with a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio or SEER rating.

For smaller areas of your homes, consider evaporative coolers, which use less energy and work well in dry climates. Ceiling fans are also a great supplement, circulating cool air and helping you feel more comfortable without cranking the AC.

Dark-colored roofs can absorb a significant amount of sun, heating your home from the top down. Installing a cool roof, made from reflective materials or light-colored surfaces, can dramatically reduce the amount of heat your home absorbs. This can reduce the temperature inside your home by several degrees and extend the lifespan of your roof by protecting it from heat damage. If you don’t have the funds to re-do your roof, you can apply reflective coatings to your existing one; this will deflect sunlight rather than absorbing it.

Passive cooling involves designing your home to naturally stay cool. In Hawaii, for example, often the sides of a house are often open unless there’s a storm. This is what people relied on before we had central air. One of the most effective methods is cross-ventilation, which allows air to flow through your home. Simply open windows and doors strategically, using fans to direct airflow. Consider adding ventilated soffits, breezeways, or outdoor living spaces that are shaded and promote airflow to your home when it’s time for remodeling.

Landscape with trees and shrubs provide valuable shade. Green roofs – plants and vegetation on top of a roof – also help insulate your home from heat; they absorb less heat than concrete or asphalt. Finally, if you use dirt or sand rather than concrete for walkways and driveways, water can seep into the ground, reducing the amount of heat radiated back into your home.

Smart thermostats optimize your home for energy efficiency. They allow you to control the temperature remotely, automate settings to heat or cool rooms only when needed, and monitor energy use. Many smart thermostats can learn your preferences and adjust temperatures when you’re not home so you’re never wasting energy cooling an empty house. Similarly, smart window shades or blinds can be programmed to close during the hottest parts of the day and open at night to let cool air in.

Just because summers are getting hotter doesn’t mean we have to suffer or crank the AC. These techniques for outfitting your home for a relentless summer can reduce energy costs and increase your comfort.