Arizona is famous for its pristine lakes, lakefront beaches, snow-capped mountains, the Grand Canyon, and the searing heat. Living in the Valley during summer brings a flurry of emotions as residents grapple with triple-digit temperatures and try to make the best out of the hot months.

For most people around the country, summer is the time to relax, spend time outdoors, and enjoy BBQs. One way to ensure summer in Arizona is as fun as anywhere else is to remodel your home for the summer. Renovating with the annual Arizonian heat in mind takes some planning and know-how because the intense heat can weaken the concrete and dry out bricks, affecting their adherence to mortar pestle. Paints can also get cracked, discolored, and blistered by the hot weather.

Renovating your home increases the property’s value and does not have to be expensive. Even on a tight budget, simple DIY upgrades can help prepare your Arizonian home for the inevitable mercury rise.

Here are our tips on renovating your home for the Arizonian heat this summer:

Ensure Your Air Conditioner is in Top Shape

Your air conditioner will be working overtime when summer comes around, so you want to ensure that it is in the best possible shape. Most people ignore their air conditioners until they break down. You don’t want to have that problem in the middle of the Arizonian summer. 

Regular care involves removing and cleaning your air conditioner’s filters and fans and inspecting the condensation hose to ensure it is not clogged. Consider installing a new one altogether if your unit is too old or if repair costs are unreasonably high.

Upgrade Your HVAC System

Your HVAC system will also be busy in the summer, so it is important to get it ready. The choice of repairing a suboptimal HVAC system or getting a new one depends mainly on your financial disposition. The factors you should consider when deciding what to do with your HVAC system for the summer include:

Cost

If repair costs are low and promise additional years of service, then fixing your unit may be more practical than replacing the entire system. Suppose the fault is from a compressor or other expensive component, you should consider replacing the HVAC system to prevent further issues from arising during summer, saving you money in the future.

System Performance

If your HVAC system usually performs optimally, emits low noise, and does not get your energy bill higher than usual, a simple fix should be your first consideration.

The Lifespan of the Unit

Your HVAC system will last for 15 to 20 years or more with good maintenance. How long your unit has been working is another factor that will help you decide whether to fix or replace the system.

How Long You Plan to Stay in the House

If you plan to move in the foreseeable future, replacing your HVAC system may not be the smartest financial decision. However, if you will be around for the long term, you have a strong reason to invest in a new HVAC system.

You may also prevent out-of-pocket costs for repairs by including your HVAC system in your homeowner’s insurance policy. Equipment breakage coverage covers your home appliances, including your HVAC unit, when they break down due to electrical or mechanical failures and other disasters covered by your policy.

Increase Your Roof’s Length

You can prevent sunlight from directly getting into your home by increasing the overhang of your roof, which creates shade and keeps your home cool. This roof extension should be done where the sun enters your home at noon and afternoon.

Switch to A Cool Roof

Dark roofs get very hot during summer and transmit heat into your home. Your insulation will trap the heat, but some still manage to get into your home. A cool roof is made from materials that trap and keep heat out of your home. Light-colored roofs may qualify as cool roofs, but they still allow some heat to pass through. Shop for specially coated shingles with aluminum and glass particles.

Install or Repair Energy Efficient Windows

Old windows will not provide sufficient cooling when temperatures are at their highest in the Valley. Energy-efficient windows protect you from the scorching heat and humidity of summer while helping you save costs on energy bills. They also act as extra security, improve your home’s aesthetics and increase its market value.

Shop for Cooler Lights and Appliances

Fluorescent electric lights emit much heat and can raise your home’s temperature when they are all over the place. Go shopping for LED lights that give off less heat, while you can use incandescent lights for your work areas and outdoors.

Appliances like dishwashers, dryers, and refrigerators may also play a role in raising your home’s temperature, so you should also go for energy-efficient appliances that emit as little heat as possible.

Repaint Your Home in Lighter Colors

Dark colors absorb as much as 90% of the sun’s radiation, leaving your home unbearably hot in summer. Lighter colors like beige, cream, blue, white, and ivory repel heat and also help to keep the planet green.

Fill Your Home with Plants

Plants keep the air around them cool by trapping heat, so you want to place plants at strategic points in your home. You can start by planting a small garden on your balcony or placing a small planters box outside your upper-ground windows.

Ensure Cross Ventilation

Cross ventilation is a simple way to ensure airflow around the home when doors and windows are open. Consider redesigning your home to allow maximal cross ventilation and ensure there are no barriers between the openings.

Final Words

As the mercury rises this summer across Arizona, the sweltering heat and high humidity can make your home almost unlivable. You can get in front of the situation by identifying and tackling your home improvement needs before summer. Improving your home keeps you cool in the summertime while it also increases your property’s market value, reduces your energy spending, and adds to your home’s longevity.