5 Ideas for Cooling Your House

There's more than one way to keep cool. It's easy to head straight for the air conditioner on sizzling days and steamy nights, but sometimes low-tech, low-cost options can do the trick.

Consider these non-mechanical options for beating the heat:

1. Landscaping. Deciduous trees on your home's south and west sides provide summer shade, but still lose their leaves to allow low winter sun to reach windows.

2. Block direct rays. Awnings, roof overhangs and exterior shades help reduce interior temperatures by absorbing solar radiation before it hits your windows.

3. Cook early and late. Household appliances such as washers, driers, ranges and ovens generate heat and humidity inside a house. By using these appliances in the morning and evening when it's cooler, you can help keep operating costs down.

4. Windows. Double or triple-pane windows slow the transfer of warm air, and some window glazings can actually bounce heat back. Take advantage of summer breezes, too. Bring in air through a small opening on the windy side of the house and pull airflow to a large window or door on the other side.

5. Insulation. Once you've generated cooler air inside the house, keep it there as long as possible. Insulate attic floors to keep the hot upper air at bay. Find the places where air sneaks in and out of your home and plug them up with caulk or weather-stripping.

If you are interested in selling or buying a home, please call Sugar Pine Realty at 209-533-4242.