Keep Cool This Summer - Tips from Budget Blinds of Scottsdale
For as good as Arizona and the Valley specifically is year-round, the one difficult time is the summer. Keeping cool is always important, especially since we are already hitting the hundreds this year! So, we put together a list of several things you can do to help keep the temperatures down in your home this summer. Here are some great cooling and energy saving tips from Budget Blinds of Scottsdale!
Summer Cooling & Energy Saving Tips
Stay Hydrated
Sweating is our body’s natural temperature management system, releasing sweat to put moisture on your skin, releasing body heat, and evaporating. For it to work correctly, your body needs that water to sweat out, so, whether you’re inside or out – drink up!
Get an A/C Tune-Up
When was the last time you had your HVAC system looked at? For most people, they only get their A/C looked at when it’s on the fritz, as soon as it’s fixed it’s forgotten til the next time something goes terribly wrong. But it shouldn’t be this way! An A/C is just like any other machine we rely on, it works best when it’s maintained!
Call in a local HVAC repair team and get your A/C tuned up before it’s needed nonstop (and we’re almost there!
Keep Your Doors and Windows Closed
Limiting the avenues of access the heat has to get into your house is critical! After all, you’re staying inside to avoid the heat, why would you let it follow you in? Make sure your windows are all closed and your doors aren’t open any longer than they have to be. Letting the hot air in and the cool air out also means your HVAC has to work even harder to bring the temperatures back under control and that’s no good!
Install the Right Window Coverings
And of course, having the right window coverings can go a long way to keeping your home cool! We have talked plenty about the ways window coverings save energy, the biggest is just by creating barriers and reducing heat flow. The two best types of window coverings for that are cellular shades and shutters!
Cellular Shades
Cellular shades are without a doubt, the best window covering when it comes to insulation. Insulation is measured by its R-Value, cellular shades have an R-Value of around 5, not too shabby!
The construction of them is built in such a way to both manage light and block heat. The cell that gives them their name traps air. When the window side heats up, the heat first transfers to those cells of air, moving through that first layer of fabric. Once the cell is fully heated, it then has to transfer through another layer of fabric, usually, this is enough to slow the flow of heat substantially. To really up the insulation levels, layer cellular shades with some fabric curtains or drapes.
Shutters
Another incredible option when it comes to blocking out heat are shutters! Interior wood, composite, or plantation shutters all can work wonders when it comes to blocking heat flow. Some studies have shown that when shutters are in place and close, they block up to 45% of the heat coming through a window. That can be a difference of up to 30 degrees! We’re sweating just thinkin’ about it!
Find out more about the best shutters to block out the summer heat.
Whatever you do, stay safe out there! Arizona is a wonderful place to live for many reasons, the heat isn’t necessarily the number one for us but it sure beats the frigid winters from up north. Take the proper precautions and you will make it through the summer just fine.
