Whether you’re an avid gardener or use your sunroom for relaxation, it’s an ideal way to capture the sun’s heat without worrying about sunburn, critters or a cold breeze. However, if you don’t get the ventilation right, it will be difficult to keep your sunroom cool in the summer. Considering this is the season when flowers are in bloom and the sky shines the brightest blue, you’re missing out if your sunroom is too hot.
Prince William Home Improvement builds sunrooms with your comfort and energy efficiency in mind. Here are some tips so your sunroom can beat the summer heat. If the following tips don’t work, you might need to upgrade your sunroom.
Airflow and Insulation Are Essential
If your sunroom is uncomfortable year-round because of hot air, there may be insufficient air circulation. Many models are entirely sealed, which means there’s no ventilation built into the structure. Likewise, if your sunroom gets too cold in winter and too hot in summer, it may be inadequately insulated. Proper insulation and air vents installation can prevent glare from the sun, which protects your furniture and keep dampness from accumulating.
These fixes will make your sunroom usable throughout more of the year, in addition to making it more energy-efficient, which could cut your energy bills.
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Choose the Right Sunroom Windows
Another reason you might have problems with unwanted hot or cold air and find it difficult to keep your sunroom cool is the design of the windows. Some models don’t have insulated windows at all, which makes it harder for you to control the temperature of the living space.
Windows can be large or small, but if they’re not insulated properly, they’ll let excessive heat into the room. Double-check whether the model you’ve chosen has windows that open before giving it the go-ahead with the sunroom contractor. You can even get a sunroom with a retractable roof if you want to truly get the best of inside and outside.
Choose the Right Sunroom Windows
Another reason you might have problems with unwanted hot or cold air and find it difficult to keep your sunroom cool is the design of the windows. Some models don’t have insulated windows at all, which makes it harder for you to control the temperature of the living space.
Windows can be large or small, but if they’re not insulated properly, they’ll let excessive heat into the room. Double-check whether the model you’ve chosen has windows that open before giving it the go-ahead with the sunroom contractor. You can even get a sunroom with a retractable roof if you want to truly get the best of inside and outside.
How to Keep Your Sunroom Cool in Hot Weather
There are a number of ways to keep a sunroom at your desired temperature throughout the year. Let’s take a look at the top five.
How to Keep Your Sunroom Cool in Hot Weather
If you’ve already got a decent air conditioning system in your home, you might be able to extend it to your sunroom. You’ll need to get a professional to give you advice about whether your HVAC system is able to do the job. Insulation is essential because gaps in the sunroom will cause cool air leakage and spike your utility bills.
2. Add a Portable Cooling System, Window Unit or Ductless Mini-Split
If you can’t extend the air conditioner, consider getting a stand-alone cooling system in the sunroom to improve cool airflow. A ductless mini-split is the most expensive option up-front but saves the most money on energy bills in the long term. A window unit will cost less than mini-splits, and they’re almost as energy efficient. A portable A/C unit, on the other hand, is usually cheap but not very energy efficient at all.
3. Include HVAC Vents
HVAC Vents are a simple and affordable way to allow the warm air to escape and keep your sunroom cool during the summer months. Install air vents on the ceiling or high up on the walls to follow the flow of convection and have air blow upward, ensuring you get a cooler space on hot days.
4. Install a Ceiling Fan and Blinds
A ceiling fan is a great option for improving airflow because it’s cheap and effective. However, it works best when used in combination with blinds and vents. When choosing blinds, opt for ones that let you choose from open, partially open and closed positions for maximum temperature control. Ceiling fans and blinds can work well in combination with an air conditioner if you live in a particularly hot climate with constant warm air.
5. Try Sunroom Window Tinting
If you tint the panes of glass, the hot sun doesn’t get the chance to heat up your sunroom as much. Window tinting helps to mitigate direct sunlight and warmer air. A downside when compared to blinds is that tinting doesn’t give you as much control over how much light you let in.
Benefits of Having a Sunroom
Sunrooms are a safe place inside where you and the family can get lots of natural light and enjoy the best of the indoors and outdoors, while enjoying cooled air. Connecting to nature is an important wellness trend at the moment, and this type of room lets you nurture tropical, air-cleansing plants and soak up the sun’s rays. Plus — who doesn’t love having a half-indoor, half-outdoor living space to decorate?
Here are the top benefits of getting a sunroom:
- More people are working from home than ever, and there’s no better space to choose for your home office than the sunroom.
- If you love inviting friends and family over for dinner and entertainment, the sunroom makes the perfect guest bedroom.
- The panes of glass let sunshine in, which is one of the most beneficial substances for your health — and it’s free.
- A sunroom costs significantly less than a full home extension but offers practically all the same advantages.
- In addition to being energy efficient, a sunroom is the perfect place to start an indoor garden. Grow flowers, plants, herbs, fruit and vegetables with additional protection from bad weather and pests.
- Let the kids play in a vibrant, bright space where they get to enjoy the view of outdoors from the safety of inside.
- Use the sunroom as the family’s main living space for a delightful contrast to screen time.
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