You can beat the heat this summer

The Inland Northwest has been dealing with unusually high temperatures lately. It’s not the wonderful summer-style heat. This heat could spell trouble in some homes.

If you haven’t as yet, now is the time to prepare for handling excessive heat in your home. The objective is to look for ways to keep your home cool and to keep energy costs down. The Spokane Association of REALTORS® library has some suggestions for keeping your home cool during warm weather months.

Believe it or not, nearly one-fourth of your home’s summer heat comes through your windows. That’s a lot of heat to deal with. However, you can reduce this amount by shading your windows from powerful direct sunlight. The simplest solution is to use interior window shades, curtains or blinds, particularly those with white or reflective backing that won’t absorb heat. Regularly lowering the shades when the sun is directly on the windows can reduce heat gain by some 25 percent.

You also might consider awnings or overhanging eaves – especially on the southern exposure – to shelter windows from sunlight. Sun angles are important to consider. You may prefer to use eaves because they don’t block desired winter sunlight when the sun’s angle is lower. Special solar shade screens can be of help, too. They will block up to 75 percent of the sun’s rays without obscuring vision. Louvered sun screens are also recommended.

Many home owners are updating their windows. If the time has come to replace your glass windows, consider Low-E glass which can minimize unwanted heat. Low-E glass also blocks out more than 60 percent of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays which, over time, can damage carpeting and furniture.

There’s another great way to handle the heat but it will take some time to work – consider planting shade trees that will one day shade not only the windows but the house as well. If you like the tree idea, be sure to consult with a local nursery to make certain your choice will do the job you have in mind. This natural shading can cut interior heat by 10 to 15 degrees.

Windows are not the only culprit. Walls and roofs also absorb heat. On a hot day your roof surface may reach 150 degrees Fahrenheit and interior attic temperatures may reach 130 degrees. You might consider installing a radiant barrier, a special type of reinforced foil that is stapled to rafters or laid over attic insulation. If you need to re-roof, consider choosing light-colored shingles. They absorb less solar heat. Also, consider light colors when selecting siding or exterior paint colors.

Following some of these steps should help you feel cooler this spring and summer.