There are some excellent tips that you can follow for cooling your home without using AC. In essence, the idea is simply to reduce the sources of heat into the home, and then trying to get rid of the heat built up inside.
Among the tips that you can consider is cutting down on the amount of heat transfer through the walls and attic. If the walls and attic are not properly insulated, they will allow more heat transfer and your home will be hotter in the summer and cooler in the winter than it should be.
Check to see whether your walls and attic are under or over-insulated, and cut back on the heat transfer. If you take this simple step, you will get the greatest change in the comfort level in the house for the least cost, and this is always a win-win situation.
You can also install staple a foil radiant barrier to the underside of the roof rafters in the attic, creating an air space between the roof sheathing and the foil, which will keep your home cooler. When you staple the foil to the rafters, place them about three inches apart, place the seams of the foil sheets centered on the rafters, and seal the seams with caulk to prevent heat from seeping through.
You can add some inexpensive, heat-reflecting film to the windows and cut down on the glare and the UV rays that damage the furniture. You will also be cooling the home in the process, when you add the film to the windows that face the sun.
In a hot climate, the most effect film that you can use in sun-control, but it will also have the effect of making everything darker inside. In very cold climates, you can opt for combination film, but keep it away from windows facing south because you will want the warmth of the sun to filter in during winter months.
You should also control your daily activities so that you do not cook, shower, take a bath, cook, wash, dry, bake and/or cook during the heat of the day. All of these activities generate heat, some of them generate humidity, and the effect is that your home will be that much warmer during the heat of the day.
If you have electrical appliances that generate heat, try to limit their use during the warmest part of the day so that you do not add to the heat that is already being felt. You should also limit the use of these appliances to the evening, when things begin to cool off.
If your home is particularly humid, you should also look into purchasing dehumidifiers. A home that is really humid will be a health hazard because it will be a breeding ground for mold and fungus, which can be really detrimental to your health.
Additionally, all that extra humidity will cause your home to feel that much hotter and much more oppressive than it should be. Therefore, follow these simple tips, and you can make your house a lot cooler, without resorting to using the AC.
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