The best way to cool your house without air conditioning involves various methods. This article will discuss cross-breezes’ benefits, planting trees, and ventilation from kitchen ranges and outside air. You can also use whole-house fans to keep the interior air cool. All these methods are free and do not require purchasing an expensive a/c system. Below are a few more effective ways to cool your house without a/c.
Planting trees
Planting a tree provides shade for a home. Choose a tree that grows fast to provide shade in fewer years. A fast-growing tree will have a dense canopy with multi-directional branches, light-colored smooth leaves, and large roots. Avoid planting too close to the foundation of your house. A mature tree with a broad canopy will shade your roof and home and provide shade for your windows.
Adding shade by planting trees around your house is another way to save money on energy bills. Tall trees cast a shadow over the place, which helps keep it cooler. In summer, they can cool your home by nine degrees or more. The shade can also be used to shade air conditioning units and driveways. And while we’re on the topic of shade, there’s nothing wrong with sitting under a shade tree during the hottest part of the day.
A sugar maple native to North America provides shade on east-facing walls. Its fall leaves are particularly striking. Fruit and nut trees are also an excellent choice. These plants provide shade and food for animals. You can also use vines as a coolant to reduce the temperature of your house without an AC. They grow fast and provide shade that reduces the amount of sunlight entering your home.
The coolant properties of trees are well documented. The cooling effects of trees are so significant that they’re often called nature’s air conditioners. While this is a natural benefit of trees, scientists have trouble proving whether they do any proper cooling for homes. In their experiments, scientists measure air temperatures in parks and streets next to the exact locations, but the results are often disappointing. Interestingly, large leafy parks can have higher air temperatures than nearby streets.
Ventilation from kitchen ranges
If you live in a warm climate, the best way to cool down your home without the use of ac is to limit the usage of heated appliances and ensure that your kitchen has good ventilation. Proper ventilation circulates hot air quickly. Also, avoid direct sunlight, which traps heat and releases it into the house. To reduce heat from direct sunlight, invest in heat-resistant shades and blinds.
To keep your house cool without ac, you can close off doors and windows in rooms that are not well-ventilated. Ventilation from kitchen ranges can help remove hot air from the room, and you can also install exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom. If you don’t have exhaust fans, you can replace your light bulbs gradually with energy-efficient ones.
Cross-breeze from the outside air
One of the most basic and effective ways to cool your home without using ac is to use a fan. A fan is a straightforward machine that helps move air. Ideally, it should be placed on a cool side of your home and away from windows and doors. In sweltering weather, you can keep a fan pointing out one window and the other. You can purchase a fan with air purifying benefits if you have a hay fever sufferer. It can filter out pollen and help cool the air without being overly annoying.
Another way to cool your house without air conditioning is to install ceiling fans. Ceiling fans are usually placed in the living room or bedroom. These are great options because they create cross-breezes from the outside air. You can identify these fans in different areas of the house to allow air to move in and out of the rooms. Another effective way to cool a home without AC is to use window box fans.
Another way to cool your home without AC is to put awnings and insulated window films on windows. Canopies shield windows from the sun’s rays and keep your home cooler in all seasons. You can also plant trees near windows that face the light. The best thing to do is find the best solution for your home and the season.
Another way to cool your house without air conditioning is by letting the cooler night air come in. This way, you can get the cool air outside your home without needing an ac. Moreover, the night air can make your house more relaxed than usual. If you cannot find a suitable window to open, try placing a fan in the interior hall doorway or a pedestal in the exterior entrance. Then, close the windows before going to bed.
Using whole-house fans
Using whole-house fans to cool a house without ac has many advantages. For one, they produce minimal noise. Large fans make less noise than small ones. They also save energy, which is excellent when cutting your energy costs during the shoulder seasons. Whole-house fans are less expensive and energy-efficient than air conditioners. Read on to learn how you can use them to cool your home.
Whole-house fans draw fresh outdoor air into your home, but they do not dehumidify the air. Hence, they only work well in climates with low outdoor humidity, like those in the desert or away from the coast. Pensacola, Florida, for example, has a humidity level of 72 percent. In contrast, Phoenix, Arizona, and Las Vegas have an average humidity level of 30.3 percent.
Besides using whole-house fans to cool a house without AC, you should consider changing your light bulbs to energy-efficient ones. Incandescent light bulbs waste over 90% of energy, making using them unnecessarily. Using energy-efficient bulbs will also save you money on your electric bill. Lastly, you should use fans to cool your house without air conditioning. The fans circulate air and can be very effective. But remember to use them properly.
Whole-house fans are also beneficial for improving indoor air quality. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the American Lung Association, the concentration of air pollutants in our homes is two to five times higher than outside. They also require the window to be open to allow for air exchange, which takes around three to four minutes. They can also reduce airborne hazards, primarily when used with air conditioning.
When appropriately used, whole-house fans can be a good choice for summer. Not only do they reduce energy bills, but they also improve indoor air quality. They also have the benefit of being easy to install. Moreover, they can also help you save money on electricity and are one of the cheapest cooling solutions available. If you’re a contractor, investing in whole house fans is an investment you shouldn’t overlook.