How To Set Up Your Home For A Hot Climate

If you live in a hot climate, you’ll know that setting up your home to deal with the heat is a constant battle. The goal is to improve energy efficiency, reduce heat gain, and maintain comfort so that you can continue living the life you want, especially if you’re working from home and need to be productive. 

But what strategies really work? Let’s have a look. 

Block heat from entering

It sounds simple, but one of the most effective approaches you can use is to simply block heat from entering your property. The best way to do this is to use exterior upgrades like awnings and overhangs to stop radiative heating from affecting the structure of your home, especially on south- and west-facing windows.

It’s also nice to have tall trees and shrubs in your garden to absorb heat. More natural foliage increases the amount of evaporative cooling that can take place, creating a little microclimate on your property. 

Apply window film upgrades

Another approach to blocking heat is to apply window film upgrades. These are special low-e coatings on double- or triple-pane windows that allow light in but prevent infrared from entering. They can also stop heat transmission from hot exterior areas like patios from getting inside. 

Choose cool exterior surfaces

If it’s an option for you, you could also do what the ancient Egyptians did and choose cool exterior surfaces. These add extra heat capacity to your outdoor areas, reducing heat build-up and preventing transmission into your home. 

Insulate your property

Another pro tip is to insulate your property as well as you can. The more radiant barriers that you can create, especially around your walls, attic, and windows, the less likely it is that heat will be able to get in, even if temperatures remain elevated overnight. Look for the R-value of the insulation that you use. One of the best options is spray foam with closed cells because it can insulate while also repairing air leaks as well. This stops warm air drafts from entering your property and also creates a high-performance barrier for conductive heat transfer. 

Optimize your air conditioning

Of course, it also makes sense to optimize your air conditioning. Getting this right can completely transform your experience during hot weather. For example, make sure you’re using a high-efficiency air conditioning unit or a heat pump. These can reduce energy costs by between 5% and 15%. A smart thermostat is also helpful so that you don’t have to constantly manage the temperature and climate in your property. 

If you can zone your air conditioning, that’s even better. Setting it to specific temperatures in different rooms improves efficiency further. 

Reduce your internal heat sources

Finally, if you live in a hot climate, you could look at ways to reduce your internal heat sources. For example, you might use LEDs instead of incandescent bulbs. These have a far lower energy output and don’t generate as much heat. You could also use ovens, dishwashers, and dryers during the cool of the morning instead of the heat of the afternoon.