How to Keep Your House Cool During Miami Summer
Sometimes it seems that no matter how high the A/C is blasting, how many fans are in each room, or how many mojitos we consume, keeping cool in Miami is impossible (and don’t even get us started on the humidity). Keeping your home cool does more than preserve the underarms of your shirts – it can save you quite a bit of money in the long run. An overheated home affects your utility bills just as much as your appliances. Learn how to keep your house cool during Miami summer with these quick tips.
Clean Your A/C Filter
If your air conditioning unit isn’t as effective as it once was, check to see if the filter needs cleaning – or perhaps even replacing. Cooling costs are one of the primary expenses in the average Miamian’s electric bill and can reduce by making sure the A/C unit is performing efficiently. A dirty filter obstructs air flow and makes your A/C have to work harder and use more electricity. Check your filter every month, or upgrade to an Energy Star approved unit that pays for itself with the savings from cooling costs.
Invest in Blackout Curtains
Windows are one of the biggest culprits that cause a home to overheat. Approximately 76% of the sunlight that enters the home through windows directly impacts your home’s temperature. Curtains and drapes are great options to get fast results when trying to keep your house cool during Miami summer. Blackout curtains, also known as thermal curtains, block 100% of outside light and are the most effective drapery option.
Adjust Your Ceiling Fan Rotation
Did you know your ceiling fan should be adjusted every winter and summer? Most homeowners don’t realize the direction of a fan’s rotation makes a huge difference. For most ceiling fans, the rotation should be set to counterclockwise during the summer. This creates a noticeable breeze, whereas a clockwise rotation is ideal for winter, where the fan instead circulates the air, causing warm air to rise and raising the overall room temperature.
Leave the Stove Alone
This applies even more if your home has a gas range, which is notorious for releasing a lot of heat into the kitchen. You can eliminate a huge heat source (and thus, lower your cooling costs) by using other appliances for cooking. Slow cookers and outdoor grills are great alternatives. If you must use the stove, avoid doing so during the day. Wait until the cooler evening temperatures so that your A/C doesn’t have to work extra hard to keep your house cool.
Add Some Green to Your Space
Indoor plants are more than living decorations. Many plants are useful for purifying the air in your home and keeping it cool. Popular plants like aloe vera, rubber plants, and ferns are great options. These plants release moisture into the air and can cool the immediate spaces around them by up to 10 degrees. A lot of these plants are easy to care for and would thrive in the hot, tropical Miami climate.
Paint Your House a Lighter Color
It’s been scientifically proven that darker colors attract and retain more heat than lighter colors – up to 35% more. Light colored walls reflect more light – and the same goes for roofs. A dark-colored roof could be absorbing as much as 90% of outside heat which could be transferring that to your home. Opt for a white or metal roof to reflect as much sunlight as possible.
With a few small tweaks, no matter how high temperatures get, you can keep your house cool during Miami summer. If you’re looking to make some big changes (and get big savings on your electric bill) upgrade your windows and doors to energy efficient impact glass with ASP Windows. Not only will your South Florida home be able to withstand hurricanes, but it will be more comfortable year round – and just as beautiful. Request a quote today!
