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Here is a shortlist of four home improvement projects that will help you keep your home cool and comfortable throughout the summer.
Often, we couldn’t be happier about the longer days spent outdoors. However, sometimes, the hot summer days might be a little too much for us to handle. In addition, on those hot and sticky days when it’s not so nice to be outside, you’ll want your home to provide a cool respite. That is why we have put together this short but useful list. These are four home improvement projects that will help you keep your home cool and comfortable.
When summer comes, no matter how busy you are, you will be glad you took the time.
1. Treat your home’s windows.
The treatment of your windows, both inside and outside, is one of the most simple but efficient of the four home improvement projects. This will help keep your home cool during the summer.
Window treatments can make your home more aesthetically beautiful. However, they can also assist you in lowering the temperature of your home’s indoor environment.
If you want to keep the hot summer sun from getting into your home, selecting the appropriate drapes, curtains, and blinds is critical. Drapes and thermal shutters in light colors are the most effective at reducing the passage of heat.
Some homeowners are concerned that the heavy appearance of blinds and curtains would not blend well with summer décor. Nevertheless, you do not have to forsake a bright appearance in order to achieve this style. Window blinds or shades that are available in darker hues generally pair well with lighter window coverings. At the same time, they will still be limiting sun exposure when the blinds or shades are shut.
Additionally, cellular shades have an excellent insulating effect. This is because they increase the ability of your windows to reflect heat.
2. Improve the insulation in your home.
Insulation is not just helpful in keeping a home warm; it also has other benefits. Insulation can also help to keep a house cool in the summer.
This is one of the most important of the four home improvement projects because it affects your comfort in both heat and cold.
It doesn’t matter if you are working on a modest home improvement project or a larger one. Either way, it is critical to insulate your home’s ductwork to prevent air leaks. These leaks can occur in attics and walls.
Regulating the temperature of your home’s interior is fairly simple. Using rigid foam boards, spray foam, or batt insulation are all excellent options.
If you are thinking of a larger home renovation project, it is important that you select the appropriate insulation materials for the job. Brick, stone, cement, and ceramic tiles are examples of building materials having high thermal mass.
Suppose you are not planning a big house makeover. It would still be wise to cover a wall that will be exposed to the summer sun with a heat-absorbing material. Covering it with brick can be extremely helpful in keeping the heat down in the summer.
3. Make an investment in LED lighting and energy-efficient appliances.
One of the most beneficial of the four home improvement projects has to do with lighting.
Start by making an inspection of your electrical appliances and light bulbs. This is what you do when you want to undertake a modest project that is both easy on your budget and effective at cooling down your home during the summer.
Summer is the best time to replace any older light bulbs. Replacing them with efficient alternatives that emit far less heat is a great place to start. This includes replacing bulbs with LEDs or compact fluorescent lights.
Using energy-efficient light bulbs will help you save money on your electricity bill. This is because they use about 80 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs. However, they can also help you save money on your heating and cooling bills.
In addition, if you have a little more money to play with, you might want to consider replacing your larger appliances. Look at things such as dishwashers, refrigerators, and dryers. Check to see if you can replace them with more energy-efficient ones. This, in turn, will help to reduce the ambient heat in your house during the summer months as well.
4. Replace inefficient windows as needed.
One of the most significant of the four home improvement projects you can undertake is replacing your windows. Doing this will help keep your home cool this summer while also saving money on energy costs.
A large portion of a home’s heat gain is a result of the kind and quality of windows in the structure.
As an example, suppose a window is leaking or was made of inefficient materials. The state of your windows has a direct impact on how hot the interior of your home becomes during the summer months.
Therefore, if you decide to replace your old windows, you should opt for double-pane glass. In addition, make sure it is a high-performance glass with a low-E coating. This will significantly limit heat transmission. In addition, it will help keep your home cool even when the weather outside is unbearably warm.