Keeping Your Tiny Home Cool This Summer

by Regina Jazelle

The past few years have seen higher temperatures, but 2023 is set to be one of the hottest ones yet. Experts also predict that El Niño (unusually warm ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific) could happen in the summer and persist throughout the fall. With temperatures rising, finding ways to cool down is essential. It’s not always easy in a tiny home, but there are ways to beat the heat while still having enough room for comfort in a smaller space. Here are some things you can do to cool down:

Invest in an air conditioning system

If your tiny home doesn’t already have air conditioning installed, you may want to consider getting a system in, especially if you live in an area with a warmer climate. You can opt for a window air conditioner that uses your window instead of the space in your home or choose a wall-mounted, mini-split system that can provide both cooling and heating. Other systems and installation options can work, but choose which best suits your home and your space.

Of course, cleaning and maintaining air conditioners will be essential to their performance. Even if you already have one, you may not be able to get it to the kind of cooling you want if dust and other particles have built up on the air conditioner’s filter. It’s advisable to have your system thoroughly cleaned once every year, but you can also arrange for gentle cleanings every one or two months to ensure your AC is running smoothly. 

Use fans

If the climate in your area isn’t scorching, you can use fans to cool your space or use them when the AC is off. Ceiling fans are an excellent option for tiny homes, as they can keep your air moving and flowing to cool everyone in the house. If they’re big and powerful enough, just one might be sufficient for cooling the entire space. You can also consider oscillating fans, which provide many options to customize airflow and can be used by individual residents who may prefer different temperatures.

Like with ACs, considering the space in your tiny home and each resident’s preference is crucial. If you require more room to move around, ceiling fans are the more efficient option. Oscillating fans take up space, but they might be the better choice if you’re particular about temperature. To save room, you can also opt for smaller oscillating fans on tables or desks for direct cooling.

Go green

Nature provides natural cooling. The process of transpiration allows them to release extra moisture into the air when the environment gets warm, cooling your space. Adding houseplants to your tiny home can help cool it down, purify the air, and beautify the area. Plants that can cool your home include rubber plants, pothos, snake plants, aloe vera, and more. You can also save some space by keeping them small to put them on tables or windowsills instead of the floor.

Houseplants alone may not make the temperature drop significantly, but if you can move your home around, you can settle it in areas with lots of vegetation and grass instead of placing it on concrete or asphalt surfaces. Doing so can help turn down the heat and protect your home. If you own your house’s land, consider planting trees to provide more cooling and shade. Sustainability is a significant value for tiny home living, and it’s even more important now, considering the rising temperatures. Incorporating nature into your home and caring for it can help you be more environmentally friendly.

Exclusively written for Nestron