How To Cool Your Home – Low Tech Ideas

 

1. Let the air flow through.
   • use the natural direction of the breeze to let air flow through your home. Open windows on the side of the house where the wind comes from and again on the direct opposite side of the house. This creates a cross breeze.
   • open a basement window on a cooler, shaded side and another on the top floor – this will pull in the cool air via the basement which gets sucked up to the top floors.
2. Stop the Sunshine
   • use shade – install awnings or shutters to keep the high noon sun out of the house
   • close the blinds when you get up in the morning and open them again at dusk
   • install “shutter” style blinds to allow air flow while keeping the sunshine out
3. Force a Breeze
   • use fans – window fans, room fans, bedroom fan, whole house fan, ceiling fans. Cheaper than air conditioning, and they cool your home by a few degrees.
4. BBQ
   • cook less inside – BBQ works well in the summer
   • prepare meals that don’t use an oven
   • use the microwave and toaster-oven
5. Shut Off Appliances
   • the largest heat gain in your home may be from your appliances. Turn items off when not in use. This will save on your electrical bill as well. (computer, TV, lights)
   • Use CFL lights, which produce only a quarter as much heat as an incandescent light bulb.
6. Cool the Attic
   • Your second larges heat gain is through the attic (after appliances gain). Make sure you have air flow through the attic. Install vents as a minimum and consider a solar fan for the attic.
7. Plant A Tree
   • it may not help this year, but it will down the road
   • also helps remove CO2 from the air – climate change

Similar Posts:

• Tips to Reduce your Air Conditioning
• DIY Home Air Pressure Test – seal the leaks
• Prepare Your Home For Winter

Filed under: Go Green