Running your air conditioning non-stop in the summer can get expensive and isn’t necessary with good, efficient design methods and smart operation of your new home, together we can help keep your home cool on hot days.
1. Orient the house wisely
If the site permits, the house should be oriented so that more of the windows face north or south than either east or west. During the summer months, far more sunlight enters a house through west or east-facing windows than through north or south-facing windows
2. Shade windows
Shading windows on the exterior is better than using interior blinds, as it keeps out more unwanted heat. Ways to shade your windows on the exterior are:
fixed overhangs
vertical louvers
exterior roller screens
operable awnings
plantings
3. Insulate the house
Heat can enter a house through windows, walls, and the roof of a house. Installing a zip system and good insulation in the building phase will go a long way toward minimizing unwanted heat gain.
4. Control moisture
Humidity makes extra work for your air conditioner and makes it uncomfortable in your home. Designing your home for passive cooling with help with having no moisture seepage into basements. Make sure to have proper flashing to avoid rain entry. Also, be to sure to have bathroom fans to exhaust moisture.
5. Have effective ventilation
When the temperature and humidity are low enough outside, your home should be able to ventilate the house, exchanging warmer indoor air with cooler outdoor air.
For this to be effective, enough operable windows should be designed and installed.
6. Install efficient lights and appliances
Lighting and appliances can introduce a lot of unwanted heat. A standard incandescent light bulb, for example, converts only about 10% of the electric current into light; the rest is emitted as heat. Fluorescent lights produce less heat than incandescents, but the best light to use is LED lights.
More efficient appliances also produce a lot less unwanted heat.
7. Have ceiling fans
Ceiling fans are a great addition to keeping your home. The gentle moving air from a ceiling fan helps keep you comfortable with air temperatures as much as five degrees warmer than with still air.
We are passionate about home design that is not only excellent but, efficient and functional so can you have the best experience in your new home!