On average in the city of Keller, Texas there are 235 sunny days per year with July being the warmest month. That being said, what can homeowners do to protect their interior finishes and keep HVAC units from working overtime? The best ideas are those that keep the heat from entering a home, think motorized shades that block solar heat gain or taking your cooking outdoors. Read on to learn more about how you can combine the latest smart home technology with common practices employed by homeowners before central AC was en vogue.
SEE ALSO: Which Type of Motorized Shades is Right for Your Home?
Cool Down, Block Out Sunlight
During the sunniest parts of the day, you may find that sunlight streams into your home, and while the natural light is welcoming, it can also have an adverse outcome, quickly heating up your indoor spaces. The result: your AC unit is forced to work harder to keep these rooms cool and comfortable. Improve the cooling performance of your HVAC system by adding motorized shades made of UV-resistant material. Each solar shade type has a UV rating, which measures the shade’s ability to restrict harmful rays from passing through it.
Automate Operation, Restrict Harmful Rays
During summer months, direct sunlight not only heats up a space but can also cause hardwood floors and furnishings to fade over time. With smart shade technology, window treatments become part of an automated system and can adjust automatically at a certain time each day to prevent harsh rays from entering your home. Whether you are at work or on vacation, your house stays cool, and your valuables stay valuable.
Attic fans can provide additional relief to your AC unit. While it might be cooler in the evening, a house may still retain much of the heat from baking in the Texas sun all day. Attic fans help cool hot attics by drawing in cooler outside air through attic vents and releasing hot air to the outside.
Save Energy, Insulate Windows
Each year as much as 20 percent of a home’s energy loss happens via the windows. Shades do more than simply decorate a space. They can also help save energy by insulating windows. When properly mounted, shades establish a sealed air space where hot air (or cold air, depending on the season) is trapped, providing greater insulation. While the insulation provided by window shades may seem insignificant, small changes can affect the overall efficiency of your home. Look for honeycomb blinds with an “R-value,” a measurement of thermal resistance, higher than two.
While summer kitchens are no longer necessary, given the advent of modern air conditioning, the idea of taking your cooking outdoors in the summer is still quite practical. Stoves generate a lot of heat, and it’s a bit counter-intuitive, to run a stove inside only to have to run the AC to remove the heat. Why not cook your steak outdoors using a gas grill this summer.
Are you ready to keep cool? Let us help you beat the Texas summer heat with motorized blinds that complement your home’s décor and match your lifestyle. Contact us today for a free consultation.