Do you have an outdoor living space?
Grab a cool drink, pull up a lounge chair and put on the sunglasses…summer will be here in just a few short weeks! How do you plan on spending the season – huddled indoors or enjoying the sunshine?
Having a designated outdoor living space makes it much more convenient to enjoy the warmer weather. If you don’t have one, you could be missing out! If you are considering adding one to your home, there are some things to keep in mind.
Spend less time indoors. Spending lots of time indoors can increase the demand on your air conditioner and raise utility bills. Nothing rains on a warm summer day like a high electric bill.
Build in the shade. Think you can’t enjoy an outdoor living space on really hot days? Think again. If you set up your space in a shaded area, it can be much cooler. As long as you stay hydrated and out of the sun, the heat shouldn’t hold you back.
Think about the plants nearby. Live in an area that has mosquitoes? Consider planting a citronella plant near your outdoor space. Worried about sunburns? Consider planting an aloe plant. Adding plants can make your outdoor space much more inviting. Why not plan things that have more than one use?
Add a grilling area. Taking the cooking outdoors during the summer is a great way to lessen the demand on your air conditioner. Plus, nothing quite says summer like a backyard barbecue.
Think about how often you are going indoors and outdoors. Opening and closing exterior doors many time can let in hot air and increase the demand on your air conditioner.
Have a split system air conditioner? Make sure to design your space away from your condenser. You don’t want to block airflow and lower efficiency.
Are you considering an outdoor living space?