A house can turn into a veritable oven during the summertime, which is why people often picture out trips to the beach, water parks, camping out in forests, and so on when talking about summer — all of which have the common theme of trying to escape the summer heat in their homes. But we all eventually have to go home and face the heat, so to speak.
The Need fouor Cooling Outdoor Features
Unfortunately, your air conditioning system will have to work hard just to keep the interior of your house cool, resulting in a significant increase in your electricity bill. That said, people would sometimes opt to stay outdoors and lounge in their backyard to reduce and minimize the use (and energy cost) of their home’s cooling system.
However, not all backyards are equipped to help one stay cool outdoors, resulting not only in exposure to unbearable heat but also increase the risk of sunburn and skin damage. As such, we’ll be taking a look at these different outdoor features you can add to your backyard in order to beat the summer heat (and sun):
Misters
Think of misters or misting systems as sprinklers but with a smaller nozzle, resulting in it spraying a fine ‘mist’ of water. The size of the droplets can be modified by adjusting the pressure — smaller droplets evaporate quickly and reduce the ‘wetness’ of the mist. The frequency of its spraying can also be programmed to suit your needs. Generally, it takes up only 0.5-1.5 gallons of water an hour and is quite cheap to install, making it a quick and affordable way to cool down your backyard in the summer heat.
Pond
If you’re going for something with more aesthetic appeal while still being able to help you cool down your backyard, then look no further than a pond. A pond can reduce the heat in your backyard by adding moisture. Additionally, it can be a beautiful addition to your garden or patio, and you even have the option to put fish and aquatic plants in it to further boost its aesthetic quality.
Swimming Pool
There’s really no alternative to a swimming pool when trying to escape the summer heat and cooling down. If you live in an area that experiences excruciatingly high temperatures and humidity in summer, like Utah, then you’d definitely want to call a custom pool contractor and have one designed and constructed to fit your backyard. A pool won’t only be a perfect outdoor feature for your friends and family to enjoy, but it can actually increase the market value of your home in certain areas, should you choose to sell it later on.
Awnings, Patio Umbrellas, and Deck Roofs
If you’re going to stay outdoors during the summer, you’ll definitely want to have shade. Awnings (both retractable and fixed) are attached to your home and can extend living space by providing shade in the area. Patio umbrellas, on the other hand, can be a smaller and cheaper alternative to give shade to your backyard patio. Lastly, a deck roof, similar to an awning, can be used to shield your deck (including everyone and everything on it) from the blistering sunlight.
Shade Trees
Lastly, a greener (yet long-term) solution would be to plant shade trees in your backyard. Not only would shade trees provide a reprieve from the heat, but it can help retain soil moisture while beautifying your backyard. Then again, you’ll need to be patient as it grows, so you might want to consider the other outdoor features for the meantime.
Conclusion
The summertime can indeed be an excruciatingly uncomfortable period, especially for areas with hotter and dryer climates, but with these outdoor features, you’ll be able to reclaim your home’s backyard from the summer heat.
