Summer is here, and with it comes the challenge of keeping your home cool and comfortable without relying on air conditioning. Air conditioning can be expensive, noisy, and harmful to the environment, as it consumes a lot of energy and emits greenhouse gases. By promoting good air flow throughout the house, shading your house, cooking outside and making other small changes, you can make your home a pleasant place without running high utility bills all summer long.
Guardian Hurricane Protection is a licensed and insured company that offers window replacement, entry doors, sliding doors, french doors and hurricane shutters in Lee, Collier and Charlotte Counties. We have more than 30 years of experience and knowledge in providing homeowners and businesses with high-quality products and installation services.
Maximize Airflow
Increase air flow throughout your home to keep it cool. A fresh wind blowing through a room or along a corridor may relieve sweaty skin and remove any feelings that the air in your home is stagnant. Getting air living around the house might be difficult at times, but these tips can help:
1. Install Sliding Glass Doors
Install patio sliding doors or French doors that can draw back to open your home to outside breezes. Sliding and French doors let in the natural daylight while also promoting good air flow.
2. Replace Single Hung Windows with Double Hung Windows
Single hung windows have only one moveable sash that slides up and down. Double hung windows have two moveable sashes. Replacing your single hung with double hung windows enables you to lower the upper sash. With the windows open in this way, warm air near the ceiling can exit your home.
3. Consider a Casement Window Installation
As an alternative to double hung windows, consider installing a casement window. Casements work like hinged doors, by swinging outward to capture fresh air and breezes. Casements are an excellent option for anyone seeking to maximize airflow indoors.
4. Install Exterior Shutters
Shutters installed on the exterior of your home, especially on south- and west-facing sides, can shade your home’s windows when closed. Hurricane shutter is a necessity if you live in Florida, even summer squalls can reach wind speeds up to 50mph.
5. Use Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are a fantastic tool for capturing breezes and drawing them into the house, while also circulating air around your home. Ceiling fans make an excellent addition to any living room, bedroom, guest room or even dining room.
When you’re choosing ceiling fans for your home, focus on installing ceiling fans that have a touch of beauty and style, so you can be happy with your choice for years to come.
6. Plant a Shade Tree
By shadowing the siding and roof of your home, shade trees may help keep it cool. Some shade trees develop far more quickly than others. Red maples, for example, may grow up to 18 inches each year over the next 25 years.
Consider the position of your home’s main line while planting a tree in your yard. To minimize future maintenance issues, avoid planting trees with invasive roots too close to your home’s septic tank or sewer. Another tip for establishing a shade tree is to consider the direction of sunlight when planting your shade tree. Plant the tree in an area where it will prevent sunlight from entering your home.
7. Use a Outdoor Grill
Cooking indoors can heat up your kitchen and, subsequently, the whole house. Why cook indoors when you can grill outside? Plan to grill in the backyard on warm days. If you’re serious about grilling, consider buying more than one type of grill to use. Charcoal grills can be fun, but they also take a lot of work to set up and clean up. A propane grill is easier to use as your go-to on a hot day.
Other cooking options for warm days include:
- Eat a cool salad of raw vegetables, cheese and deli meats.
- Bring a countertop oven outside and cook on your deck or patio.
- Get takeout or go to restaurants.
You have many options. Above all else, avoid turning on the oven in your home.
8. Install a Cool Roof
Just as a shade tree can prevent your home from absorbing heat from sunlight, so can a cool roof. A light-colored roof (white, light gray or another light color) will reflect light back into the atmosphere, thus helping you maintain a cooler home. There are many types of roof systems that can create a cool roof, such as asphalt shingles, metal, tile, or membranes. The type and style of the roof system determine the cost and difficulty of installing a cool roof.
9. Turn On Exhaust Fans
Keep air moving through your home by turning on the bathroom exhaust fans and the kitchen exhaust. These fans will expel warm, humid air and keep air circulating around your home – just like the ceiling fans.
Which solutions will work for your home depends on your budget, your home’s configuration and other factors. Experimenting with each option will help you determine what works for you, and what doesn’t. Ultimately, cooling your home naturally can reduce your home’s utility bills and help you maintain a comfortable temperature indoors.
Southwest Florida's Most Trusted Window & Door Installer
Guardian Hurricane Protection is a fully licensed and insured company that offers window replacement, entry doors, sliding doors, french doors and hurricane shutters in Lee, Collier and Charlotte Counties. We are OSHA Certified, have an outstanding safety record and conduct regular on-site safety meetings. Our goal is zero time lost on the job. We are a Nami Certified Manufacturer, PGT Glazing Certified, EuroWall Installation Certified, an ASSA Member and a Solar Energy Contractor.
Guardian Hurricane Protection can help you choose the best products for your home, and install them professionally and efficiently. Call us at 239-438-4732 or 239-237-1448 or contact us online to request a free quote. Guardian Hurricane Protection is your trusted partner for all your window and door needs.
