Tips to beat the summer heat in your home

The summer heat can feel relentless, and with electricity costs soaring, pumping the air conditioner all day long isn’t the smartest way to stay cool. Depending on the design and features of your house, staying cool indoors may be as simple as tweaking your habits, or in some cases, it may be worth investing in some major alterations to make your house easier to cool for years to come.

Table of Contents

Simple habits

If you’re looking to optimise the temperature in your home without spending any money, there are plenty of simple habits you can adopt that can make a big difference.

Close blinds in the heat of the day

Glass windows can be a significant source of heat in your home, particularly if they are receiving direct sunlight. Close the blinds on your north and west-facing windows during the heat of the day, and make sure you have blinds installed on any skylights you have in your main living areas. While this is a very simple habit, you might be surprised by how much cooler your house feels with the blinds closed.

Open up in the evening

While the days can be stinking hot in summer, there’s often a cool breeze during the late afternoon and evening. Once the air temperature outside feels cooler than the inside temperature, it’s time to open up all the doors and windows and get some air flowing through your home. This strategy will be even more effective if you’ve kept the blinds closed all day, as the temperature won’t have risen as much as it otherwise might have.

Be smart with air conditioners

While it can be tempting to blast the air conditioner on those hot summer days, this is likely to result in eye-watering electricity bills and can even damage your air conditioner. Setting your air conditioner to a more reasonable temperature, say 24 or 25 degrees on a 30+ degree day should be enough to take the edge off the heat without going overboard.

Choose one room to cool

If you are using an air conditioner, it’s ideal to limit it to one main area where you’ll be spending most of your time during the day. Try to seal the room up as much as possible, closing doors and windows and using draught excluders to prevent your cold air from leaking out.

House changes

Shade your house

Anything you can do to reduce the amount of direct sunlight your house gets will have a cooling effect on your indoor temperatures. Planting deciduous trees (that provide leafy shade during summer, but drop their leaves in winter) is one of the best ways to regulate your home’s temperature all year round. You can also install awnings on the sides of your home that receive the most sunlight, or even place some large, leafy potted plants outside exterior walls to provide some shade.

Insulate and seal

Does your home have insulation in the ceiling? Many homeowners don’t even know. But an insulated ceiling can reduce your indoor temperatures by up to 35% in summer and can also keep your house warmer during winter. Adding insulation strips to door seals and windows can also have a big positive impact on your indoor temperatures in both summer and winter. This is all the more important if you have a skylight installed in your home. Investing in a double-glazed skylight with a good thermal performance will allow you to let the enjoy the benefits of natural light while keeping the interior of your home at a comfortable temperature year-round.

Vented skylights

Installing a vented skylight or roof window in your home is not only a great way to increase the natural light in the space, but it can also have a significant cooling effect on your home during the summer months. As we all know, hot air rises, so a skylight that can open will allow hot air to exit your home, significantly lowering your indoor air temperature. This effect can be further enhanced by opening a window in the same room, allowing a cool breeze to enter and force more of the warmer air to escape out of the skylight. Many people find that once they install a venting skylight, they no longer need to use their air conditioner during summer, saving them significant sums on their energy bills.

If you’re interested in installing a skylight or roof window in your home this summer, speak to the experts at Natural Lighting Products today.

The post Tips to beat the summer heat in your home appeared first on Natural Lighting Products.

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By: Graham Cattley
Title: Tips to beat the summer heat in your home
Sourced From: www.naturallighting.com.au/tips-to-beat-the-summer-heat-in-your-home/
Published Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2022 01:42:53 +0000

Frequently Asked Questions

How much light does a skylight provide?

A skylight can be a great way to allow natural light into a home or office space. The size and angle of the skylight will determine how much light is provided. It also depends on the area and climate of the skylight, as some climates receive more sunlight during the day. A skylight that is large enough to catch direct sunlight and is angled correctly will generally provide more light than one that faces away from it. Skylights that are larger than regular windows can bring in four times the amount of sunlight into a room as compared with regular windows of the same size. Skylights can reduce your energy consumption by using less electricity to lighten indoor spaces. Special reflective coatings are available for certain types of skylights, which can amplify natural light. All of these factors are taken into account, and it is possible to conclude that, depending on the location, the right skylight will increase the natural light available indoors by as much as doubling or triple the amount.

Can solar tubes heat a room?

Solar tubes, also called sun tunnels, have a dome roof that reflects sunlight and captures it. This light is then evenly distributed by an interior diffuser. Solar tubes have a major advantage over traditional windows in that they can efficiently capture natural sunlight, which reduces the need for electric lighting.

While sunlight that passes through a tube doesn’t heat the air, it can warm up objects if directed at them. Because of the sunlight they can draw in, a solar tube focused on the outside wall of a house could heat that part of the house considerably. Sunlight directed at furniture or fabric can make those items surprisingly warm either directly under their beam or after it’s been reflected off walls or flat surfaces nearby. The temperature could rise even further if multiple sunrays combine, such as a tube and a window.

That said, solar tubes will not usually make any worthwhile changes to energy bills when used as the sole solution for heating – but that doesn’t mean they do not play an important role in making rooms feel more comfortable in cooler temperatures. Solar tubes consume very little energy and only require electricity to power the fan and vents. The tubes’ low maintenance design means they can last for decades and not need to be replaced. It’s not about saving money, it’s about creating long-lasting comfort indoors.

What are the advantages of skylights and what can they do for you?

Skylights are great in theory, but you need to know the pros and cons before you make the decision to install one in a home.

Skylights’ first problem is their price. Skylights are costly to install and can have a higher initial cost than other window options. Plus, when choosing skylights with special features such as flashing or venting systems this cost can quickly add up.

Skylights can also leak. Poor installation or damage from impacts can lead to water entering your home and causing expensive and serious water damage. This is especially true for those who live in areas that receive heavy rains and strong winds.

Depending on the location of your skylight, it may cause an imbalanced in interior temperatures. Skylights don’t provide the same insulation as other windows so without proper shading or window coverings too much sunlight can make rooms very hot or extremely bright during the day making it difficult for residents to rest during daylight hours.

Do I need a roofer to install skylights?

You will need a roofer to put in skylights. Skylights can be defined as openings in the roof which allow light into a space. These tiny holes can be made through layers of roofing material. They must be properly waterproofed to protect your home against moisture damage. You won’t have leaks or other issues later on if you hire an experienced roofer.

Skylight installation requires cutting into the roof structure. This may mean that you will need to work around existing trusses or other structural framing elements. For optimal natural lighting, the opening’s angle must be adjusted to capture sufficient sunlight at various times of the year.

Also, you need to make sure that the product is suitable for your location and climate. A professional roofer can help choose the best options, taking into account your needs and measurements. Roofers know how to adhere to local building codes regarding flashing and installation of shingles so your new skylight will be installed correctly.

An experienced roofer knows how different building materials react to weather changes and how to avoid future problems with your new skylight investment.

What is the difference of a skylight versus a rooflight?

Skylights and roof lights are used to bring natural light into buildings, but they have some differences.

A roof light, which is usually a substantial portion of the roof structure, is a window built into it. It often has insulation around it, which makes it soundproof and watertight.

Skylights are built from an internal platform and can be accessed through an access ladder. They tend to be smaller than roof lighting, taking up a fraction of the overall opening. To protect against extreme weather conditions, skylights can also be fitted with protective material like polycarbonate sheets.

Roof lights allow for more control over how much sun enters the space, whereas skylights are used mainly for general lighting purposes instead of bringing in direct sunlight. Skylights can also let in more heat as they cannot be adequately insulated without losing their natural light capabilities.

Skylights may also be used outside of buildings, giving you the flexibility to add them after a building has been built. Roof lights have to be installed in the same way as surrounding roofs. It is important that they are planned ahead and cost more than a new roof.

What are the types of skylights that can be used on metal roofs?

Skylights bring natural sunlight into spaces, adding brightness, warmth, and energy efficiency. Special skylights are available for metal roofs to provide safety and aesthetics.

There are five types of metal roof skylights: tube skylight, traditional window, flat glass area skylight and tube skylight.

The traditional window type, which is made of frame-mounted glass windows that provide clear visibility both outside and inside the house, is the frame-mounted window. This is the most commonly used type of metal roofing skylight in homes, businesses and barns.

Tube skylight features a sealed tubular structure that directs natural light from an acrylic lens at the roof’s surface through a weather-tight conduit to the desired location below, usually between ceiling joists or trusses.

A flat glass area skylight is made with an acrylic cover mounted securely to an aluminum base overlapping directly on the roof surface. It provides superior thermal insulation compared to traditional framed windows that have two layers of tempered safety glasses filled with inert gases. This gives the skylight greater strength and flexibility to withstand temperature changes and gusts without causing damage.

The ideal type of openable dome is for ventilation. Their easy-to-open design allows them to be opened remotely, especially during hot or particularly cold days.

Fixed dome type creates energy economy by allowing ample daylight and keeping heat out during the summer months. This translucent finish membrane membrane is laminated to its upper portion made out of hardy materials like Fiberglass or rigid PVC. It provides incredible strength against Mother Nature’s strongest elements while still being able to filter UV radiations in your space seamlessly.

Statistics

We observed the hole at various solar illumination conditions and estimated its depth to be 80 to 88 m. (agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
However, including all the expenses, skylight installations can cost you a good 600$ to 2500$. You can choose the skylight particulars according to your project specifications and budget constraints. (glassgenius.com)
Installing and flashing the window itself will cost $200 to $300 for homes with asphalt shingles, and 20 to 30 percent more for metal or tile roofing. (thespruce.com)
You will get 99% of the light coming into the tube, compared to just 36% with Skylight. (thesolarguys.com)
Skylights let 30% more natural light in as compared to conventional wall windows. (glassgenius.com)

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How To

Rain, Rain! How to fix and prevent leaks in your skylight

Skylight leaks can occur due to a variety factors, such as poor installation or damage caused by adverse weather conditions. Water will get into the skylight element and surrounding frames if the seal fails, or the shingles around it become loose. Moisture can also enter through the seams between the flashing, chimney or vent pipe. Low-sloped roofs might also be more vulnerable to leaks.

You will need to remove any debris from the area surrounding the skylight. Next, check the frame for any damage or gaps and then fill in with caulk where necessary. If necessary, check flashings for missing or loose nails and reattach them if necessary. Also, ensure that the surrounding areas like walls and roofs are sealed. It is important to inspect your rooftop at least once every six month for signs of wear. Any repairs are necessary to prevent further leaks. Quality flashing materials should be installed around your skylight to protect it from water intrusion by rain and other moisture sources. Seasonal roof maintenance services should be used at least twice a calendar year to ensure optimal waterproofing on rooftop skylights. They can withstand heavy storms and remain safe.

There is no single solution to sealing a skylight. It depends on the type of roofing material around it (e.g. asphalt shingle or standing seam metal). In general terms though, you should use counterflashing mode metals such as lead coil stock strips or aluminum step flashings over regular roofs flashing materials like flat business materials made up of synthetic rubberized asphalt chemistry combinations for flat surfaces that include but are not limited to asphalt roofs, built-up bitumen roll systems with granulated cap sheets, etc., On metal roof applications seam welded gutter pans available at a wide range of widths used specifically designed gutters components made of copper, and aluminum that does not require caulks and can be used effectively to make protection against leakages effective providing air-tight integrity even withstand high winds blowing off cases these days due increased awareness towards eco-friendly practices.