During the hotter months of the year, the cost for air conditioning rises notably for many families. Creating an inside temperature to spare you from the heat outside is important for you well being, but air conditioning isn't always the best option for this, as it might be expensive and also not very environmentally friendly. To make sure your house is cool, even if the outside temperature is scorching, there are a few things you can do without spending very much money.
Plants and colour
There are many ways for you to add different things to your house to make it withstand the heat better. You could, for example, plant vines to grow up the wall that is most often exposed to the sun, which gives a layer of outside insulation that the sun can shine on instead of the wall itself. You could also paint your roof a colour that doesn't accumulate as much heat as black usually does. Another thing could be to plant a tree in front of your house, which will allow shade to protect your house from the most piercing sun beams.
Blinds
The most important thing to not allow outside heat inside your house is to protect the windows. Blinds are an excellent option for this as they aren't in a permanent closed state, which could be a hassle during the colder months of the year. To keep the heat out, you should opt for blinds with high covering ability. Wooden blinds, for example, are sturdy and compact enough to let you completely shut out the sunlight. However, even common plastic blinds help to keep the sun out. Blinds are also a great option for temperature regulation even when the worst heat has passed, as they can also be a way to contain heat inside the house when it's cold outside.
Awnings
Awnings are another way to protect your windows from heat entering from the outside. Awnings are more than just a tool to keep heat out of your house; they can also be an aesthetic choice to give your home a certain look. An awning is most effective on the sides of your house where the sun tends to shine the hottest, but you can also use one as a roof four your patio or porch to create shade for when you want to sit outside. Giving shade to doors is also a good way to block even more heat from entering, as doors tend to be opened a lot, which lets hot air in the house. If the door is in shade, the air that is allowed into the house won't be as hot.
Share4 January 2016
My yard is in the shade of both of my neighbour's homes for most of the day which makes it quite hard to grow some of my favourite plants. Even though the yard is shady I still want it to have some nice look ground cover and be a cool place to entertain people. I have used a combination of shade resistant plants and pavers to create a lovely space that is good for entertaining all year round. This blog has some tips on creating a pleasant atmosphere in your shady backyard, particularly if you have a yard that is too shady to grow many kinds of plants.