How do u keep your house cool in the summer?
Question:Without using the Air Conditioner. I cant seem to do it even with a huge fan on. I tried the whole idea of keeping the windows, with the sun beaming in, shut and the ones in the shade open. Doesnt work. I tried keeping my windows open at night, when its cooler, and shuttint them during the day. Hoping that it would keep my house cool during the day. Doesnt work. Am I screwed and have to sweat this summer? I really dont have a choice bc my electric bill is getting out of control!!
Answers:
If you can get some shade cloth to shade the exterior of your home, that may go a long way to helping you stay cool. Depending on where you live, you can open the house at night to let cool air in, then close it to prevent hot air from coming in during the warmest hours. When you close it, close ALL the windows, to keep the cooler air in. It sounds counter-intuitive, but it helps.
In the warmest part of the day, keeping your a/c on just a FEW hours can make a huge difference in your comfort level - say from noon until five p.m. Don't forget to keep your window shades drawn during hot times, especially on the side where the sun is. I have an east-facing apartment with a balcony, and getting a "matchstick" shade really helped deflect the heat from the morning sun; I'm sure if I had a west-facing exposure, the same would be true. Having box fans around to blow directly on you will help a lot, too, if you don't mind the breeze (to me, it's better than being hot).
All in all, keeping the sun and hot air OUT, and keeping the coolest possible air IN will at least help keep your home cooler and minimize your use of the a/c unit.
Have you tried a swamp cooler? Just kidding - those things work - but your house will be humid. I would probably try a small ductless air conditioner or a window unit. Either of these two options would be cheaper than running your a/c unit. Also, I would limit the usage of the air conditioner to evening and night hours - or restrict usage to when you are home. Another option to consider is checking the insulation in your attic. Since 80 to 90% of conditioned air escapes through the ceiling - it is important that you have adequate insulation. Plus - it is a cheap and easy fix.
My last suggestion would be to replace the window screens currently on your home with a product like "sun screen" which reduces the amount of sun entering you home. I replaced my screens last summer and was amazed by how well it works.
Good luck.
there really isnt anything you can do as cool as you got it is as cool as it will get. just think if you had the sun shining in and didnt have a fan. all you really can do is get the air conditioner if you want it cool
CENTRAL AIR.. ONLY
During the day when I am at work I keep my bright sunny rooms shaded (I have darker sheer curtains and mini blinds). When I get home I use my window fans, and depending on which way the wind is blowing I have the fans on exhaust to suck the air through the house as oppose to having hot air pulling in from the outside.
put aluminum foil over the windows on the sunny side try opening one or two of them about halfway , off center from the others , put fan on the side that the wind usually blows into and open all shady widows also keep all interior doors open as well. hope this helps
I have only run my ac three times this summer by keeping the house closed as much as possible during the middle of the day. You have to block the sun, I like the aluminum foil on the windows idea. Remember that hear rises. I point a fan out the window in my upstairs and have a smaller fan that I use down stairs in which ever room I am in. I keep the air moving as much as possible and have become "acclimated" to having my house at 80-85 degrees without feeling hot when it is not humid. If its humid, I have to have the air on, I can't stand it.
Good luck.
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