How To Prepare for Next Summer's Heat

The beautiful Phoenix, AZ area can be one of the most pleasant places to live in the entire country — if you don’t mind a little heat! With an average high temperature of over 100°F from June through September, even the most avid sun worshipers could find the summer heat a bit on the oppressive side. Here are some helpful tips you can start working on now to help you beat the heat next summer in Arizona, with a focus on keeping your home cool and comfortable.

Install Solar Screens

Did you know that approximately half of the heat that enters your home comes in through the windows? However, one way to beat the heat in Phoenix is by installing solar screens on your windows, particularly those facing south and west. As an added benefit, solar screens will protect your home against interior sun damage. The screens can be removed during the cooler times of the year.

Use Awnings to Block the Sun

Strategically placed awnings can reduce your Phoenix home’s cooling energy requirements by 20 percent or more. The two basic types of awnings are fixed and adjustable, with the latter providing the added flexibility of being able to adjust the level of shade throughout the day. As with solar screens, awnings are most effective when placed on the south and west sides of your home.

Let Ceiling Fans Do the Work

How can you keep your house cold with ceiling fans? Use of ceiling fans can complement your air conditioning system by dispersing the chilled air throughout a room. You’re also likely to find that you can set your thermostat a little higher, which can help to reduce your energy costs. Since ceiling fans are designed for use in specific rooms, you can turn them off when you exit the room, which also lowers your energy consumption.

Provide Shade for Your AC Unit

If you are installing a new AC unit, try to place in a location that receives shade during the heat of the day. Because your unit won’t have to work as hard, this can increase its efficiency by as much as 10 percent.

Plant Trees

While planting trees won’t pay immediate dividends since it will obviously take some time for them to grow, it will ultimately provide significant benefits in the long run. In addition to serving as an excellent source of natural shade, the evaporating moisture from the leaves helps to cool the air that surrounds your home. The best types of trees are ones that lose their leaves during the winter, as this will allow the sun to warm your home during those colder months.

Contact Titan Alarm to Learn More About How to Beat the Heat in Phoenix

Knowing how to stay cool in Arizona during the summer can be a challenge, but these tips can help you beat the heat — and reduce your energy bills in the process. Feel free to contact us at Titan Alarm to learn more about how a home energy management system can give you greater control over your home’s climate during summer and throughout the year.

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Updated by Titan Alarm on November 5, 2018.