To keep your home cool not just today but years into the future, check out these five home improvement solutions! A smart investment now can pay off with years of cooler comfort in your Ohio home.
1. Replacement Windows
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, windows account for a significant portion of any household’s monthly energy bills. In fact, cool air lost through drafty or inefficient windows could be responsible for up to 35% of your total energy use!
For that reason, replacement windows are the perfect home improvement to keep your house cooler. By upgrading to more modern vinyl windows, you’ll benefit from energy-efficient technology that:
- Reflects UV Rays and Solar Heat Gain
- Insulates Your Home from Outdoor Heat
- Seals the Frame and Sash Tightly in Place Without Warping
- Prevents Climate-Controlled Air from Seeping Out
- Uses Multi-Paned Glass and Air Fills to Moderate Temperature
The end result? You’ll enjoy lower energy bills and a cooler indoor space—all while ensuring that your AC works at its full potential without expensive air leaks.
2. Steel Roofing
It may sound strange since we often think of sunlit metal being hot to the touch, but metal roofing is another great way to keep your home cool in the summer. Unlike conventional asphalt, steel roofing panels reflect heat and light, radiating it away from your home rather than down into your attic and the rooms below.
3. Attic Insulation
Speaking of the attic, a few additions to your attic insulation can really pay off in terms of energy efficiency and home comfort. Energy Star experts recommend anywhere from 10 to 14 inches of attic insulation in the form of batts, blankets, or blown-in loose fill.
4. Replacement Doors
Similar to your home’s windows, replacing aged or poorly fitting doors can be another long-term cooling investment. The effect will be more noticeable and cost-saving if you have an outdated patio door (e.g., one with a thin, single pane of glass) or if your entry doors are particularly drafty.
Especially for patio doors in Northeast Ohio, the latest designs often include triple weatherstripping, thicker glass, and insulated frames and sashes—all of which help keep your home cooler in the summer months.
5. Other Quick Fixes
If you don’t want to undertake a home improvement project right now, you can still make a few everyday changes to your home to boost its comfort. Even if you do invest in new energy-efficient windows or doors, these smaller changes can only help!
- Keep your blinds closed.
- Switch to darker curtains.
- Change your air filters.
- Leave interior doors open for ventilation.
- Install ceiling fans.
- Replace old ventilation units in bathrooms.
- Get your AC inspected.
- Plant trees or bushes to block direct sunlight.
Whether you decide to invest in a major home improvement or just a few little changes, you’ll notice a difference right away. As an added bonus, the very same updates that keep your home cooler in the summer will also help it stay warmer in the winter—a year-round win-win for you!
For more information on these and other home improvement solutions, don’t hesitate to reach out to Thiel’s Home Solutions today. A local, family-owned home remodeling company since 1967, we know how to keep Northeast Ohio homes cool, comfortable, and energy-efficient. Call us or complete our quick online form to get started now!
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