4 Ways Sun Enters the Home
Very few families appreciate the sun creeping into your home and heating things up when the temperatures hover somewhere between uncomfortable and unbearable. Once the heat comes inside, it’s there to stay – at least for a little while. It simply takes too long to cool.
There are four primary culprits to consider when this happens. Understanding where the light shines allows you to take steps now to divert the impact they have on the temperature inside your home.
1) Your Roof and Attic
In most homes, roofs and attic space are public enemy number one when it comes to bringing the burning heat of the sun into your home. This space, since it’s largely unused, simple holds the heat in throughout the day – often long into the night.
The problem is that all the heat doesn’t remain in the attic. It infects the rest of your home by sinking down through the ceiling forcing your home to become uncomfortable or causing you to turn on your air conditioner in order to cool things off.
Consider installing a radiant barrier under your roof if possible. Otherwise, adding a reflective coating to your roof can shield your attack from drawing in the heat like most attics do. Don’t forget the power of insulating your roof and attic for preventing heat from entering your attic as well as to stop cooler air from escaping. Lastly, an attic fan can work wonders at both reducing your homes heat and your electric bill.
2) Windows
Windows are another major point of entry for the sun’s heat during the day. Big windows are beautiful and allow you to enjoy views of the world outside. They have a downside too however, in that they provide little protection for the interior of your home when it comes to preventing heat.
Use heavy drapes and curtains to block the sunlight from entering. Consider installing a UV film or treatment to your windows to further prevent the harmful rays from entering your home.
Lastly, install awnings and overhangs on the outside of your home in order to provide shade for the windows and block the direct flow of sun through your windows.
3) Doors and Cracks
Anyone who has children knows that your doors are open and closed so much your home sometimes feels like the corner convenience shop. It’s hard to eliminate that without creating a mudroom where the exterior door is closed before the interior door to your home is opened.
Cracks beneath doors can be stopped with sliding pads that slip onto the bottom of the door and other draft catching items. Which leaves the cracks around your windows, which you can seal with clear silicone caulk.
4) Walls
Believe it or not, the building material in your walls may also be part of the problem. The sun simply radiates through your walls.
Prevent these potential problems by painting your walls light reflecting (lighter) colors rather than heat absorbing darker colors. Also, insulate your walls well to block the sun’s heat from radiating into your home through the walls.
Finally, put the sun, and its heat, in its place – outside your home. Invest in a whole house fan combined with the investment in an attic fan to provide a powerful combination for bringing cooler air into your home and drawing warm air out.