Shading homes in hot dry climates

May 9th, 2018 · Published to Shade Solutions by Steve Lewis

Several regions across Australia are known to experience hot and dry climates, with some even having warm winters. If you live in such a region, no doubt you use appliances to keep your home cool.

However, do note that appliances such as fans and air conditioners are active cooling solutions. Meaning, they consume a considerable amount of energy when running. Relying on them all the time will inevitably mean high energy bills. That’s why you should consider passive cooling solutions such as shade sails or awnings. They’re a great investment that will shade your home and keep it cool without any energy bills.

Today, I will explain passive cooling solutions in more detail and tell you why they’re great for hot dry climates. I’ll also offer you some handy tips on how to effective shade your home in such a climate.

Passive cooling solutions

Passive cooling solutions is a broad term used to refer to any cooling solution that doesn’t consume power to operate. However, the passive cooling solutions I am specifically referring to are built shade structures. Structures such as shade sails and awnings can be set up to cover outdoor living areas or windows and other openings. Not only will they provide shade, but they will also reduce the temperature underneath by allowing airflow.

What’s really great about such shade structures is that you can set them up and leave them out. All you have to do is maintain them occasionally and they will keep your home cool for several years. They’re a wonderful investment and they certainly make sense for any home that experiences a hot and dry climate.

If you’re considering investing in shade structures, then you have several options on hand. Shade structures include shade sails, canopies, tension membranes, awnings, outdoor blinds and outdoor umbrellas. All of these serve different purposes and you’ll need to choose depending on your needs. Just remember – shade sails are the best for shading large areas, while outdoor blinds and awnings are ideal for covering windows and openings.

Other ways to cool your home

Apart from using shade structures, there are some other things you can do to cool your home. Most experts recommend evaporative cooling for hot and dry areas. Ponds and water features in your courtyards can help cool temperatures to a good extent.

Also, while you should not over-rely on active cooling solutions, ceiling fans are a better option than others. That’s because they promote airflow and if you design your space for better airflow, you can easily keep things cool.

Plants are also your friend. While you can use large trees to shade your windows, smaller shrubs and plants can reduce the ground temperature.

Also, shade all your windows during summer and only the east and west windows during other seasons. Make sure that your windows are well sealed and that you provide adjustable shading for your windows and other openings.

Conclusion:

There are several ways to shade a home in a hot dry climate to keep it cool without relying on active cooling solutions. Passive cooling solutions such as shade structures are great for shading as well as cooling your home. Shade structures come in a variety of different types and are suitable for different purposes. They’re a great investment for homes in hot dry climates.

Other things you can do to keep your home shaded and cool include using evaporation cooling and plantation. Shading your windows during the summers and making sure that they are sealed can also help. Also, if you do have to use active cooling solutions, use ceiling fans more often as they are the most efficient.

And, for all your shade structure needs in Australia, look no further than us at Global Shade. We offer a full range of customised shade structures that are perfect for your home!

Call us at 1800 724 407 to discuss your shade structure requirements today!