Beat the Heat: Keep Your Home Cool During the Hottest Days

14 Jul Beat the Heat: Keep Your Home Cool During the Hottest Days

Summer in Georgia can be a scorcher! In 2017 we’re experiencing one of the wettest, muggiest, and hottest summers to date. Luckily, for many, the home is our reprieve from the heat and our oasis from the sticky air outside. But running our A/C all day can leave our wallets feeling pretty dried out. At Sunrise Builders, we design our homes for optimum comfort every time, but there are still some tips and tricks that you can use to keep your home feeling breezy and comfortable without spending a fortune on energy costs! Here’s what we think will help you live your most relaxing summer:

Blinds, Blinds, Blinds

If you have exposed windows, perhaps in the foyer or in rooms around your home, it’s beneficial to cover them with some sort of window covering. By putting a barrier between your window glass and the sun’s heat against it, you can save energy by up to 20%. As an added bonus, window coverings in your bedroom will also help you get the best rest you can get, so be sure to install dark shades there, too!

Let the Cool Breeze Flow

Luckily for us, especially in the hot south, the summer nights tend to be cool. Utilize nature’s fresh breeze and natural A/C by opening your windows when your lights are off. It’s an added bonus if you have a screen to keep bugs out, but if your lights are out too then you’ll have even less to worry about. Enjoy the cool breeze and let it feel like you’re sleeping under the stars.

Make your Bed Heat Proof!

In the hottest months of the year, our beds can feel like sticky saunas. The trick of feeling like there are blankets on top of us while we keep one leg exposed is a dance many, many people perform each night. But with the right tricks, your bed can feel like a cool oasis all year round! Try using at least one or two buckwheat pillows instead of goose down or a synthetic blend. More air is able to circulate through buckwheat, leaving your head cool all night long. Another great trick is to wash your heaviest blankets and maybe switch to light throw blankets to wash away the winter.

Check Your Appliance Routines

If you’re used to doing your laundry early on your day off, it might be more prudent for you to wait until the evening. Every time you wash a load of laundry the heat from the machine radiates out and heats up your home. Mitigate that added heat by doing your laundry when your home is naturally cooled down at night. For an even bigger bonus, hang your clothes up to dry and ditch the dryer altogether. Dryers are not only the number one most energy-sucking appliance in your home, but they radiate an extraordinary amount of heat. The same idea goes for the dishwasher: either run your dishwasher overnight or hand wash your dishes! Save energy, and keep your home cool!

Cool from the Outside In

You can be proactive about your cooling regimen by planting trees and natural shade barriers between your windows and the sun. By planting a large tree in your front or backyard, you not only give yourself a nicer aesthetic and place to sit outdoors, but you cool the inside of your home with the tree’s nice shade as well. It’s a win/win!

If you’re extra lucky (or just know where to look!) you can find a home that’s designed to be temperate all year round with the correct build! The home builders and architects at Sunrise Builders know how we live in a hot climate and have crafted beautiful layouts that ensure your family’s comfort all year round! To speak to one of our experts about your next, ultra-cool, breezy home, contact us today! We’ll be happy to give you a look around any one of our new homes, including our newest neighborhood in Covington! Ask us about it!