Summer means green leaves, sunshine and vacations, but summers also mean scorching heat and dry spells. In summers, if you are not planning a vacation to an exotic holiday destination, then you will spend most of your time in your log house watching movies, playing video games and having fun. But, if your residential cabin is not prepared for the summer heat then spending the time in the house can be really uncomfortable ‒ probably dripping in sweat. In such circumstances, preparing your house for the summers is essential.
Though logs are known to be natural insulators, residential cabins still need some type of preparation before summer in order to keep your home super cool. Here we look at a few really simple and effective ways to prepare your residential cabin for the summer season.
Have your residential cabin repainted with soothing and light colours: If painting has been due for a long time for your residential cabin home, then this is the right time. Some of the best colours this season are: sunny yellow, sky blue, pastel pink, lime, coral, and white. You can choose any of these colours for your log home and have it repainted to prepare a soothing and calming atmosphere for the summer. Having houses painted for the summer is in high demand, thus it is important that you book the services of a professional beforehand to avoid delays. However, if you are looking for some budgetary solutions then continue reading; we have many more simple and pocket friendly tips too.
Change the bedding sets and cushion covers: To prevent tossing and turning in the summer heat, it may be best to change your bedding set so that it won’t make a hot night seem worse. Opt for fabrics made from natural materials as they are known to be the most breathable, and will keep you dry and cool. Also, make sure that you choose a light colour. Pastel colours and flower prints are the latest trend and consider the weight of the bedding set. Although silk and satin are light in weight, they tend to trap heat. For summer percale can be a lot better choice. Make sure the colours you choose for your bedding set reflect rather than absorb the light. You can either purchase online or from a local store.
Fans and ceiling fans: Today, more and more people emphasise the importance of an air-conditioner, but there are other cooling devices that you can consider adding tobyour residential cabin, like a ceiling fan. A ceiling fan can be a nice addition in your house for summer. A fan can make a room feel 6 or 7 degrees cooler and even if you keep the fan on for 12 hours a day, it won’t cost you more than £7. Good fans make it possible for you to increase your thermostat setting and save on cooling costs. Fans don’t consume a great deal energy, but when air circulates, it makes it much cooler. You can also consider getting a portable fan, which are also very effective.
Have your cooling devices serviced: Usually, the air conditioners available today have a lifespan of around 12-15 years, but an annual check up is a smart decision to keep the equipment in a top condition. In most cases, the procedure takes only thirty minutes to one hour and the services of a reputed firm can be found at extremely affordable rates. However, make sure that the company you choose is insured, licensed and established. Moreover, by getting your cooling devices serviced before summer you can ensure that it will be performing smoothly without causing any problems. Proper maintenance of an air-conditioning device can also help decrease your monthly energy consumption.
Get a programmable thermostat: These units can save money, by allowing a homeowner to pay a lower price for using power at specified times of the day. For example, if no one is in during the day, it makes no sense to keep your residential cabin cooled to 23 degrees. Studies show that if you increase the thermostat by 7-10 degrees when you are not at home, or lower it by same margin during the heating season, you can save 10% each year on heating and cooling costs. By using a programmable thermostat you can make sure this temperature change happens regularly.
Seal air leaks: We mostly consider sealing air leaks during the winter, but the same should be considered for the summer. A caulk gun from a quality hardware shop can assist seal leaks around windows, which will ultimately decrease your cooling costs in summer as well as heating costs in winter. Experts suggest that by sealing air ducts one can improve a cooling system by 20%.
Drapes, shades or blinds: install light coloured blinds, drapes or window shades that can reflect heat away from the house. Close draperies, shades and blinds facing the sun to keep the heat out and assist air-conditioners or fans cool a lot more efficiently. Always keep one thing in mind: that the best way to keep your residential cabin cool is to keep the heat out.
Plants: Plant shrubs or trees that can prevent sunrays from directly approaching your residential cabin. You can also consider planting shrubs to shade the air-conditioning. Units that operate in shade use less energy. Deciduous trees planted on the west and south sides will keep your residential log cabin cool in the summer, allowing the sunlight to warm the house during the winter. For example, just 3 trees placed properly around a log cabin, can save £70-£200 yearly in heating and cooling costs. Also, in shaded areas the temperature during the day time can be 3 degrees – 6 degrees cooler.
Invest in a dehumidifier: In the summer months, humidity can be an actual villain. If the humidity can be turned down, all the cooling methods will work a lot better. Dehumidifiers are reasonably priced yet very effective equipment to take care of humidity.
