As the seasons change, you will have different needs as far as your comfort and that of your family. Read on to see how you can keep your home cool in the summer and ensure your family’s comfort.

Add Shade

If you have the room and the budget, there are a number of different options for adding shade around your home. When less heat and sunlight reaches your house, it won’t get as hot as it would when directly baked under the unforgiving sun. With 84% of all homes in America having some kind of air conditioning, you can reduce your dependence on HVAC, which will help you spend less money on heating and cooling. From planting trees and shrubs around the house to constructing pergolas and other elements meant to provide shade around your home, you can choose the option that works best with your budget and architecture.

Plant a Roof Garden

Another option to keep your home cool in the summer can also be great for the environment; planting a garden on your roof! As most of the heat in the house in the summer gets in through the roof due to direct heat from the sun, you can reduce the amount of sunlight that lands on your roof by planting a garden on it. This will shade your house from the direct sunlight and also absorb excessive eat into themselves. Just make sure that your roof is structurally sound and won’t cave or leak under the weight of soil and plants, creating a bigger issue than the one you were trying to prevent.

Install Solar Panels

You could also install solar panels on your roof which will help shade your roof and also provide you with energy to use in your home. If you go down this path, make sure to get Energy Star certified roof products which will reflect more of the sun’s rays. This will help lower the temperature of the roof’s surface by up to 50F and effectively decrease the amount of heat that gets transferred into the building. Consult an expert to find out the requirements and total cost of getting solar panels and plan accordingly so you can get the process done effectively.

Cook Outdoors

Cooking can raise the temperature of its surroundings, so, to make sure your house remains cool even in the heat of summer, do your best to cook outside as often as possible. Doing this will help you avoid raising the temperature indoors and you will also have more fun cooking and eating outside. A small setup should work well to ensure you cook effectively and can move everything indoors when the weather gets cold again. If you can afford to construct an outdoor kitchen, take the time to do so as it will be worth it in the end.

Paint the Terrace a Bright Color

The final tip is to paint your terrace a bright color. Doing this will help reflect away most of the sun and the resulting heat, leaving the ground around your home a bit cooler. If you can’t get a pool like the 17.12% of American residents aged between 18 and 29 years who own a spa, hot tub, or pool, as found by Comfy Living, you should find other methods of keeping your yard cool. White porcelain or ceramic tiles will also do a good job of keeping the area where they’re installed cool during hot summers.

Make use of the tips above to keep your home cool in the summer and give your family improved comfort through the hot season.