Whether you are building your dream house from scratch or making changes to the existing structure, the hot and humid climate of your area can surely pose some challenges. 

You would not want to get the wrong design and building materials as it could have a huge impact on your comfort. You can blast the air conditioning on the highest settings, but that is not a wise solution. In addition to minimizing the heat gain, you should also focus on reducing your energy bills. 

To get your home design right, you should have a basic understanding of the sun’s orientation, what materials minimize heat gain, how smart devices can help with energy efficiency, and what type of insulation works in humid areas. 

Here are the 10 best home design tips to help you deal with the harsh summer heat.

1. Make Use of Smart Air Conditioning

To beat the scorching heat this summer, a dumb air conditioning unit won’t work. But that does not mean that you have to discard all your old air conditioners. You can make your existing units smart with a smart thermostat or a smart AC controller that works with mini-split, window, and portable air conditioners. 

When living in a hot and humid climate, you definitely need more than temperature regulation. A smart thermostat or a smart AC controller can help you maintain the ideal humidity levels. They can learn your preferences to adjust the settings automatically. You can also set daily or weekly schedules in advance, which can help you save on your energy bills. 

If you hate coming to a warm house after a long day at work, you should use these smart appliances to solve this issue. You can turn your AC on one hour before your arrival with your smartphone, or you can set a schedule or location-based controls, and it will automatically turn on at the specified time. No more coming home to a hot, humid house!

2. Track the Sun

While designing your home, you have to consider at what angles the sun will hit your house. The east-facing side receives direct sunlight in the morning. Your kitchen should be in this direction as it can benefit from the early sun and it will be cooler in the afternoon. The west-facing side receives sunlight at a lower angle and penetrates the windows mid-afternoon. This area of your home will require shading to protect from heat gain and excessive glare.  The south side receives plenty of light for the major part of the day, so avoid building bedrooms in the south or south-west as they will overheat during summer. The main living spaces, such as bedrooms, should be on the north-facing side. You should also install windows on the northern side as most of the light coming from it is diffused. 

3. Go For UV-Deflecting Glass or Film for Windows

Waking up to soft sun rays from the windows can feel great; however, the hot afternoon sun can drastically increase your home’s temperature.

To counter that, you can go for UV deflecting glass for windows, having low e-coating to prevent the sun from heating your house. The low e-coating reflects infrared, and UV light but allows the visible spectrum of light through the window. You can open the blinds to let the sunlight in without getting the negative effects such as heat gain and harmful solar radiation damaging your house.

If changing the glass isn’t an option, you can also choose to cover your existing windows with a UV-protective film. It lets 90% of visible light in and blocks the UV light.

4. Choose Building Materials Wisely

When designing a home in a hot, humid climate, protection against heat and moisture should be your top priority to avoid mold growth. Choosing the right materials makes all the difference; they increase the comfort level, decrease the load on your cooling appliances and help with the energy savings.

When designing a house, go for roof material that has high solar reflectance to minimize heat gain. Install vapor barriers under the house to prevent moisture from seeping in through the ground. Use house wraps to avoid high humidity and to evaporate the excess moisture.

5. Choose Lighter Color Paints

If you are building a new home or making plans for repainting, are you considering how the colors will impact your home’s temperature?

Darker colors absorb more heat because they absorb more energy from the environment. In order to keep your house cool in the scorching heat, you should go for colors such as white, beige, pale blue, or pink. These colors not only reflect light but also make your home seem more spacious.

6. Bring in Humidity Absorbing Houseplants

You might be thinking that houseplants only increase humidity. Well, most of them do; however, some plants also absorb excessive moisture.

Plants such as palms, ferns, orchids, peace lily love moisture and act as a natural dehumidifier. Their green, bushy foliage is known for absorbing moisture from the air. 

Apart from this quality, houseplants act as a natural air purifier and add ambiance to your home. A perfect combination, isn’t it?

7. Focus on Ventilation

You need to increase the airflow in your house if you want to cool it properly. Stale, polluted air circulating your home can make you feel clammy and uncomfortable.

You can install exhaust fans in high moisture areas such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens. Go for big windows and open them in the early morning and evening to let the fresh air in. Moreover, install vents in your attic to create an upward flow of air. Cool air flows through the vents while warmer air rises from your home and goes out of the vents.

8. Use Waterproof Materials for the Roof

If your roof is made of material that heat up fast and accumulates moisture, controlling the inside temperature can become quite difficult.

Some of the best waterproof and durable roof options are:

• Spanish tiles: They protect against heat and humidity.

• Asphalt shingles: In addition to preventing mold growth, they also help with energy efficiency.

• Slate roofs: Another option that prevents excess moisture accumulation.

9. Use Insulation That is Best for Hot, Humid Climate

The type of insulation you choose for your home matters a lot. Not all insulation is suitable for hot climates. Cellulose insulation, for instance, has the tenacity to absorb moisture and can lead to mold growth. Foam board and fiberglass are suitable for protection against moisture and mold damage.

To minimize heat gain, you can choose radiant and reflective insulation as it works by reflecting away the heat and is most suitable for warm climates.  It is mostly installed on attic ceilings to reduce heat transfer from the roof to the other areas in your home.

10. Install Dehumidifiers & Ceiling Fans

If you are looking for a cost-effective way to cool down your house, ceiling fans should be your first choice. It helps in increasing the air circulation of cool air in your home. 

You can even use a ceiling fan in conjunction with your air conditioner. It not only increases comfort but also helps in reducing your energy bills. With a ceiling fan, you can raise the thermostat setting to about 4°F, and it won’t impact your comfort level.

 High humidity levels can cause dust mites, mold, and mildew. Moreover, they can trigger seasonal allergies and cause itchy, watery eyes, skin rashes, and other irritation. A dehumidifier can reduce the high moisture levels and combat the negative effects of high humidity.

Keeping your home cool requires more than installing air conditioning units; designing it smartly to maximize its ability to keep the heat outside is the key!

Author: Chris Winters

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