Buying a house in Mérida or in warm climates: 7 things you should know

If you’re planning to buy a house in Mérida or in warm climates this year, keep some key points in mind when you move. One example is the home’s location relative to the movement of the sun. Another is knowing how it is ventilated, whether the windows have protection, and whether it includes air conditioning.

Want to know more? Here are tips for living in Mérida so your house feels 100% comfortable.

How to buy a house in Mérida?

• Home location. When moving to Mérida, Yucatán and choosing a home, pay close attention to its location relative to the movement of the sun. That’s important for keeping the interior cool. Ideally, the spaces you want coolest should face north, avoiding the south, where the sun hits hardest.
• Window protection. Also consider the type of protection the windows have. For cooling, internal blinds and curtains aren’t very effective. External solutions such as awnings and lattices are better, as they stop heat transferring inside.
• Air flow. When buying a home, consider the architectural design and pay attention to the air flow you can use, such as horizontal cross-ventilation.

“The sky is the window to the world.” — Gaston Bachelard

Cross-ventilation uses the prevailing winds, letting them cross from one side of the home to the other, cooling it. For that, the spaces need windows on both sides so the flow is continuous.

• Materials and insulation. Choose a property built with heavy, thick materials such as a concrete slab, which will keep the building very cool.

And the roof — what should it be like?

It should be insulated and made of a light material, or painted. The more reflective the material, the cooler the interior stays. For example, using bricks over a covering helps lower temperatures rather than raise them, as happens in buildings with exposed wooden roofs.

• Open spaces connected to the outdoors. In warm climates, a good choice is a house with a garden and open spaces connected to it. Well shaded and designed, they can be the coolest place on the property.
• Vegetation. Nature is also good insulation. A well-shaded strip of land outside can keep the interior cooler. Did you know deciduous plants can be very effective natural sun-shaders?
• Efficient reverse-cycle cooling equipment. Finally, if you’re moving to Mérida, Yucatán, try to make sure the home you choose has air conditioning. The most efficient, best-performing option uses reverse-cycle technology, which speeds up and slows down the outdoor unit’s motor to deliver the right amount of power.

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