Heat Gain in Your NW Arkansas Home: Keep It Under Control

Heat gain is defined as solar radiation that penetrates a home through windows, doors, skylights, roofs, cracks and crevices. The resulting rise in indoor temperature requires cooling systems to work harder, which can cause spikes in energy bills. Learn how to reduce heat gain in your home to save money and energy: 

• Windows: Close blinds, curtains and drapes, particularly during peak sun hours. Go a step further and install glazing and reflecting materials to block out sunlight and keep the home cool. Plant shade trees in front of windows as another sun-blocking option.
• The “Sunny Side”: Shade the side of your home that receives the most direct sun. Plant trees and shrubs that block sunlight, such as evergreens, and install awnings over windows to keep UV rays out. Trees and shrubs that don’t lose their leaves will also help insulate the home during the winter. However, if you’re more concerned about keeping your home warm in the winter, planting trees that shed their leaves, allowing solar heat gain in the winter, probably makes more sense.
• Thermometers: Install thermometers so you always know when the outside temperature is cooler than the temperature in your home. While keeping the home tightly sealed is a way to prevent heat gain, it’s sometimes necessary to open up the home and allow cool air to circulate.
• Roofs: The roof is another way heat enters the home. Certain latex coatings will help reflect solar radiation, as will installing radiant barriers, or a type of heat-reflecting aluminum foil, in your attic.
• Air Leaks: Seal any air leaks found on the inside and outside of your home, such as those around building foundations, windows, doors, electrical outlets and fans. Use caulking and weatherstripping materials to seal these leaks.

For more expert advice on preventing heat gain and other issues relating to home comfort, please contact us at Paschal Heat, Air & Geothermal. We have proudly served northwest Arkansas since 1961.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Northwest Arkansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about heat gain and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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