Although an energy efficient air conditioning system can cool your home, sometimes you want a little more. Whether you’re a design-buff or not, there are many ways you can keep your home cool through its design.

Plant Trees & Vines

One of the best things you can do to cool your home (helping the Earth is an added bonus, too) is to plant some trees or vines. Trees help to provide natural shade which can block sun from hitting your home, while vines act like as another layer of sunblock. Ivy, Virginia Creeper, and Russian-Vine all grow quickly and can effectively shield your home from the sun. Research has shown that vines can dramatically cool a home as much as 50%!

Install Awnings

Awnings may be an obvious choice, but adding them to your home can reduce solar heat gain by up to 65%. Adding awnings is simple and because they’re retractable, you can enjoy more sunshine when you want it. You’ll not only have a cooler home, but a greener one too!  Awnings are good for the environment and can reduce the impact of global warming.

Paint Your Roof

Since 2005, California has required that all commercial buildings have white roofs. White roofs have not only helped to cool California buildings; they have also reduced energy costs, cut carbon emissions, and have helped reduce the effects of global warming.  When designing a home, consider having a lighter roof or another type of heat-reflective surface. It’ll without a doubt help to cool your home the natural way.

Install High Window

How you incorporate windows into your home’s design can significantly keep your house cooler. Windows are basically old school ventilation machines, but we tend to forget this since the invention of the thermostat. You can cool your home and make it a little greener through the size and placement of windows. It’s common knowledge that heat rises, so if you install high windows and open them, hot air will vent outside.

Cool Off With Colors

Look to the interior design of your home if you want to chill out. Cool colors like shades of light blues can help freshen your home and make it feel colder and cleaner. A recommended color combination is a fresh white coat with light blue trim.

Whatever your design aesthetic, there are many ways you can cool your home through its design. While these are design related options, the easiest way to cool down is with an efficient HVAC system. One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® of Clearwater wants to help you stay cool and comfortable year-round. Click here for more interesting blogs or visit One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® of Clearwater today!