So, you’re considering building a house in the desert and you aren’t sure what issues you need to try to avoid. You know it’s going to be hot, but don’t know what you can do to help keep your home cool and combat the desert heat.
Well, if you guessed that the heat would be your biggest issue, then you’ve guessed correctly. But, believe it or not, there are actually a few things you can do to help beat the heat, and even save some money in the process too.
So what are some things you should keep in mind if you plan on building a house in the desert? And what are some basic tips and tricks that you can use to keep your home cool in the desert heat?
We’ve got the answers to those questions and more in this article!
1. Insulation Is Key
Again, when it comes to building a home in the desert, combating the extreme heat is without a doubt the biggest issue. And the decisions that you make when building your home are going to determine just how comfortable you are inside it on the hottest days.
Insulation is key if you want to keep the inside of your home as cool as possible. So keep things like wall thickness as well as floor and ceiling insulation in mind when building your home.
Building materials, like exterior doors and their colors (more on that later) can help you keep your home cooler too. Don’t be afraid to spend a bit extra on windows as well, as thermal tinted windows are an absolute must-have for any desert home.
2. Consider Going Solar
It goes without saying, but you’re going to need to run your HVAC often in order to keep your home cool. And not only is that bad for your HVAC system, but it can also run up your electric bill too.
A pro tip? Consider getting solar panels installed on or around your home. They’ll pay for themselves over time and prevent you from having a crazy electric bill for the rest of your time in the home.
Also, you’ll be helping save the planet, which is never a bad thing.
3. Choose Exterior Colors Wisely
Believe it or not, the exterior color of your home can help keep the inside of it cooler during the hottest part of the day. This is especially important when you’re building in the desert, where there are no trees for shade anywhere to be found.
Not sure what color to paint your home? Look around you for inspiration, as the most common desert colors are often great choices. In fact, earth tones like light gray, brown, and orange not only look great in the desert, but they help combat the heat too!
4. Utilize Covered Outdoor Spaces
One of the biggest perks of owning your home is the ability to have outdoor spaces to utilize for entertaining. Because while it may be hot outside, it’s still nice to get out sometimes and enjoy the outdoors.
A great way to enjoy your yard is to have multiple covered outdoor spaces. These covered spaces provide you and your guests with a bit of shade, which is crucial if you want to stay cool on the hottest days.
A covered outdoor space, a few electric fans, and maybe even a swimming pool are all things you should consider having for your desert home.
5. Home Placement Is Important
If you’re looking for clever ways to keep the inside of your home cool, consider where you place it on your lot. Homes facing north or south usually avoid the sun better, and thus, are a bit easier to cool during the hottest parts of the day.
If your lot forces you to build facing east or west, consider keeping most of your windows on the sides of your home to help combat the heat.
6. Purchase Thermal Window Curtains
Another great way to beat the heat in the desert is to utilize thermal window curtains inside of your home. Believe it or not, closing off all of the windows in the rooms you aren’t using at the moment can drop the temperature in your home multiple degrees.
Thermal curtains help keep your home cooler, meaning your HVAC system isn’t running as often. That can help prolong the life of your HVAC system, and even prevent major issues from occurring, which of course, is a good thing.
Tips for Building a House in the Desert
Well, there you have it. Those are a few basic tips you need to know if you plan on building a house in the desert! So as long as you keep these ideas in mind, you should be more than happy with your new desert home.
As you most likely guessed, combating the heat is going to be your biggest problem should you decide to build a desert home. There are, however, a lot of things you can do to keep cool on even the hottest of days.
First, consider building with your home facing north or south. That, combined with proper insulation and thick building materials can help you stay cool when inside.
Also, pick a color for your home that’s reflective of the sun. Stick with light-colored earth tones if you aren’t sure which colors work the best, as they both look good and help keep your home cool.
Solar panels are always a good idea, especially if you live in an area where you’re going to be using your HVAC a lot. That, combined with thermal curtains, can help you conserve energy and save money, which is always nice.
Building a new home? Check out our website for more tips and tricks!
