Beat the heat in spring, summer

The Inland Northwest has been dealing with unusually low temperatures, rain and wind. Soon, though, the cold weather is about to be replaced by some wonderful summer-style heat. This heat could spell trouble in some homes.

Now is the time to prepare for handling this promised heat by preparing to combat excessive heat in your home. The game is to look for ways to keep your home cool and keep energy costs low. The Spokane Association of REALTORS® library has some suggestions for keeping your home cool during approaching 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 through window by some 25 percent – plus it can do wonders for your privacy.

•You also might consider awnings or overhanging eaves — especially on the southern exposure — to shelter windows from sunlight. Sun angles come to the front here, too. 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.

•Lots of homeowners are updating their windows. If the time has come to replace your glass windows, consider Low-E glass that 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 way that you may prefer to handle the heat but it may take some time to work it out — consider planting shade trees that one day will shade the windows. If you like the tree route, be sure and consult with a local nursery to make certain your choice will do the job in mind. This natural shading can cut interior heat by 10 to 15 degrees.

•Windows are not the only culprit. Walls and roofs absorb heat as well. 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 colors when selecting siding or exterior paint colors.

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