As we approach the 65th day of 100 degree temperatures in
the Austin area, I am reminded how important it is to choose not only a home
that fits your lifestyle, but also, how important the orientation of the home
really is. The back of my home faces West, but luckily, my backyard is
completely shaded by large oak trees, but some of my neighbors are not so
lucky. If your backyard faces West, and you don't have much shade, using your
backyard in the afternoon can be nearly hopeless. Of course if you have a pool
in your backyard, that is a completely different story. Some things to keep in
mind when choosing a home are:
·
How energy efficient is the home
·
Are the windows single pane, double pane,
aluminum or vinyl?
·
Does the attic have a radiant barrier?
·
Does the yard have an irrigation system?
·
How old and what is the efficiency rating of the
HVAC system?
·
Cold the home benefit from the addition of
additional venting of the roof?
·
What is the orientation of the home and are
there trees to provide shade?
Aside from discomfort from the heat, some of the issues that
you may find as a result of an extremely hot summer is that the soil around the
home may contract which could lead to foundation issues. Keeping your yard and
foundation watered will help keep your landscaping alive and at the same time,
will help you to avoid possible structural issues down the road.
Your home is probably the largest investment you'll make in
your lifetime. Choosing a home that not only suits your lifestyle, but that it
is also easy to maintain will free up your time to spend those hot summer days
enjoying the lake.