Screened-in rooms offer the best of both indoor and outdoor living. They allow families to enjoy the great outdoors without worrying about bugs, sunburns, and other unpleasant aspects of spending time outside. They are also ideally suited to North Carolina and South Carolina, where the natural landscape is beautiful and the weather in most areas allows screened-in spaces to be enjoyed for the majority of the year. Figuring out how to effectively heat and cool your screened-in room so it is truly an extension of your home, though, can be somewhat complicated.
This guide offers a series of solutions, some of which are sure to be appropriate for your situation. It is important to remember that these are just ideas. Once you hire a local heating and cooling professional to handle your project, he or she may have additional options that are suited to your house. It is, however, smart to go into the hiring process with some ideas of your own. Doing your research ahead of time will allow you to have educated conversations with all of the HVAC experts you get quotes from.
- Ceiling fans – Many Carolina homeowners love ceiling fans and have them throughout their homes. Fans are a great option for screened-in porches as well. They do not use nearly as much power as traditional air conditioning and work well in screened-in spaces that have some natural airflow. If you’re going to have a fan installed, however, you need to make sure you purchase a style that is rated for outdoor use. This way, dampness, and extreme temperatures won’t affect its functionality.
- Evaporative cooling units – Evaporative cooling units are more commonly referred to as “swamp coolers.” They are, essentially, tiny air conditioners that work by blowing air over a thin layer of water drops. As the air hits the droplets, they evaporate, cooling the air that surrounds them. The downside of evaporative cooling systems is that they tend to work best in dry climates, so they aren’t the best option for most portions of North Carolina and South Carolina where humidity tends to be high.
- Plug-in heaters – Portable plug-in heaters are one of the most popular choices for warming-up screened-in rooms. These come in a variety of styles, so you can select something that works with your decor. Plug-in heaters do a great job of heating small spaces like screened-in rooms and they can be moved around the area depending on where you need the most extra warmth at any given time.
- Fire pits – Some types of fire pits are safe for screened-in rooms. Gas fire pits, for instance, are an excellent option. Many of these fire pits have contemporary designs and feature volcanic rock or glass tops that protect users from their flames. Gas fire pits can be expensive, but most Carolina homeowners who choose them find that they are worth every penny.
The best way to find the perfect HVAC solution for your screened-in room is to contact an expert who serves your Carolina zip code. He or she will work with you to determine what your needs are and what heating and cooling devices are the best choices for your personal situation and budget.