If you’re moving to Tucson or the surrounding area, one of the things you may need to adjust to is the climate. This is especially true if you’ll be moving from a milder part of the country, such as the Midwest. Arizona’s desert climate has a cold season but in the spring and summer, it can be extremely hot, dry, and unforgiving. Fortunately, there are some simple tips for relocating to Arizona that you can follow to stay more comfortable in your new home.
Check Your Ceiling Fans
If your home is equipped with ceiling fans (which is the case with many Arizona houses), check to ensure that the blades are spinning in the right direction. Specifically, your ceiling fans should be rotating in a counterclockwise direction to push cooler air down and create a nice breeze within your living space.
Most fans have a switch near the base that allows you to change the direction of the fan blades, so check to make sure yours are set properly.
Insulate Your Ductwork
If your home has an HVAC system with exposed ductwork (whether in a basement, garage, or attic), it may be worth spending some money to have that ductwork insulated correctly. This will help prevent cool air from warming up as it travels from your air conditioner’s condenser unit to the various vents throughout your home. This, in turn, will keep your home more comfortable while cutting down on your energy bills as well.
Invest in Window Treatments
The sun is intense when you live in Arizona during the summer. To protect your home from being further warmed up by the sun’s unforgiving rays, make sure your windows have light-blocking curtains, blinds, or drapes. This is especially important on west- and south-facing windows that tend to see the harshest daylight. From there, make sure that these window treatments are closed during the sunniest parts of the day.
In addition to window treatments, you might also consider planting large shrubs or other plants near these windows that will block out additional light and help keep your home cool, even on the hottest days of the year.
Take Advantage of Cooler Nights
Arizona’s deserts are certainly known for their sweltering hot days. However, many people don’t realize that it can also get quite cold in these areas at night. You can take advantage of this by opening windows after the sun goes down. Ideally, you’ll want to open windows in your home to create a cross-breeze. That will help cool your space down without having to use additional energy from your air conditioning unit. This, in turn, will make your home more comfortable without racking up your energy bills in the process.
A little bit of effort goes a long way in keeping your new desert home cool and comfortable all year round. By following these tips, you can stay cozy in your new Arizona home, save on your energy bills, and avoid overworking your air conditioning system.
Looking for a new community in Arizona? Contact us at Coyote Creek today.
