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Energy-free cooling? Yes!
There are ways to help feel more cool and comfortable without using energy at all. It's called "passive cooling," and it's a very old practice that can still work today. Passive cooling really involves keeping your home from getting hot to begin with, thus reducing the workload on your energy-powered cooling devices and systems. One of the best ways to provide passive cooling is to plant trees. Tall, mature shade trees block the sunlight from beating down on your roof and windows, especially on the western side of your house, and can reduce the temperature by 10-20 F. Keeping shades and curtains drawn on windows that take a lot of direct sunlight, especially from the south and west, can reduce the heat gain in your home by up to half. Exterior window awnings, porches and overhangs do an even better job of blocking heat than interior window coverings. The hottest place in your home is the attic. If it isn't properly ventilated, the attic will heat up as high as 130 F and some of that heat transfers to the interior of your home. Check your attic temperature on a hot day; if it's higher than 100 F, you need more ventilation. Controlling humidity will help keep you more comfortable, too. If your air conditioning system doesn't dehumidify the air as well as it should, consider adding a new unit to replace it or supplement it. Wait until cooler hours to do chores that add humidity to the air, such as washing and drying clothes, washing dishes, and cooking, and use ventilation fans in bathrooms and kitchens to help vent that extra moisture. The old standbys -- caulking, weather stripping, and insulation -- are just as important in the cooling season as in the winter. They help keep cool air inside and hot air from infiltrating. So before it gets too hot to get in the attic, check out these tips. You may find you'll be more comfortable and use less energy each summer.
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