Hot? For the masses, staying cool means being in a space artificially chilled by a window air conditioner or central air system. But as some people are allergic to conditioned cool air and or the high cost of that energy use, natural ventilation is a consideration and smart option.
Of course, the idea of air conditioning is to get your body temperature to a comfortable level. A side note is if it’s hot out and you are home and have to put on a sweater – like you do in commercial buildings – the thermostat is set too low. You are wasting money and energy.
There are more natural ways to keep your body temperature comfortable at home while the air is heating up outside. Moving air typically is cooler and for that there are the old standby ceiling, floor and hand fan.
Another is to use the “fan only” setting on the heating system’s thermostat. If you are in an apartment building, the combination of an open window, ceiling fan and entrance door kept ajar helps keep circulating air cooler inside.
There’s also stopping the heat before it gets inside the house. The first goal of keeping a space cool is to block the travel of heat coming through the roof and walls.
The least expensive way to keep the hot air out and get the most noticeable change is to insulate. Check the attic. If it isn’t already insulated get that done. There are different materials to use so you must do a little research to see what can work for you. Depending on the type and how long it has been there, existing attic insulation may have lost its effectiveness and will need replacement. So, if you check the attic and see old insulation it doesn’t mean it is doing the job. Caulk around the frames of windows and outside entrance doors.
At windows that face south and west, apply heat reflecting film to the glass to reduce the sun’s heat, cut down glare and ultraviolet rays. Move furniture away from the walls to allow air to move and away from the windows to keep them from becoming a heat magnet. Get rid of clutter. It holds heat and blocks the circulation of air. You knew that would be in here somewhere.
Draw shades and drapes during the daylight hours, particularly if you get strong sun much of the day. Use drapes with the reflective white lining side turned toward the window. Outside, utilize awnings to shade the house and windows.
To draw hot air out of the house use an attic or whole house fan, which is sometimes noisy, but effective.
Avoid building indoor heat by using as few lights and heat generating equipment and appliances as possible. Prepare meals that don’t require using the stove.
Reduce humidity. Humidity indoors and outdoors makes the air feel warmer. Shorten the hot bath and shower and save them for before sunrise and after sunset. When possible cut down using the clothes washer and dryer to a one or two days a week, when possible and before sunrise and after sunset. Wash dishes by hand or use paper plates.
Create meals that can be eaten cold and fixed in advance to cut down on using the hot stove. Try to cut down on the frequency of these and other activities that create moisture in the air and always operate the vent fans those times to draw out the warm, moist air. Don’t forget to turn the vent off when done because it will pull any cool air out as well.
These are choices for now, while the heat is making us all blind and uncomfortable. Looking ahead to next year, check around your habitat for ways to shade your house and provide a breeze conductor whether it’s by planting hedges and trees in the fall or installing awnings on the right sides of the house. Stay cool.
