Keeping a house cool in the summer

[Jimmy Stang]

Like others, I have had a lot of success with window fans. I just open up a window on the opposite side of the house as well to create a through draft, and set the fans to suck air out. It works much better than pulling air in. Closing windows by day, opening them by night, etc. are all easy things that make a noticeable difference.

[darklord700]

My house now has concrete tile roof and it's a lot cooler than the shingle roof I had at my old house.

[AMG_G]

Originally Posted by darklord700

My house now has concrete tile roof and it's a lot cooler than the shingle roof I had at my old house.

What is the price differential between concrete tiles vs shingles? Does the roof need additional reinforcement since the concrete tiles should be a lot heavier?

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by REDVAN

My father-in-law told me this trick and it works great: get an "industrial" fan, or a shop fan from Canadian tire. Also get a sheet of plywood and 2x4. Cut a hole in plywood and put fan in middle. Suck air out of house and into attic, leaving windows open. BOOM cool house in the summer. I'm amazed at how well it works.

That said, we're building a new house and I'm having AC put in.

I can't picture this. where does the 2x4 go, and do you cut a hole in your ceiling above it and run a vent up into your attic? actually, where does the plywood go?

[Northendzone]

^ between sheets of plywood with holes in them, industrial fans and wet blankets hanging over windows seems like your house would be a mess.......

go with central air - it just works. depending on the ize of your house you may be able to get a cheaper unit for $2500 - but you are likely looking at something closer to $4000.

Other things are:

1. get windows tinted
2. ceiling fans in all rooms
3. keep windows and drapes closed
4. plant large trees around your house
5. aviod using dryer and oven
6. use basement a lot more

[darklord700]

Originally Posted by AMG_G

What is the price differential between concrete tiles vs shingles? Does the roof need additional reinforcement since the concrete tiles should be a lot heavier?

Concrete tiles are probably $30K-$50K per house and shingles are like $10K-$15K per house. You may or may not need to have your roof reinforced to go from shingle to concrete. So tiles are about 3 time more expensive and the payback period is about 40-50 years.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

I can't picture this. where does the 2x4 go, and do you cut a hole in your ceiling above it and run a vent up into your attic? actually, where does the plywood go?

wait, does the fan go in the attic?

[REDVAN]

Yeah in the hatch. The 2x4 is used to make a sturdy base for the plywood to sit on and hold the fan in the hatch hole. Fan is at ceiling level. Best to do this if you have a plug nearby or can splice into a light switch nearby too.

[strombad]

I live in an apartment style condo on the top floor.

So I've pretty much accepted that when the temperature hits anywhere above 20 my place will be far above 30. Even a portable AC unit can only bring it into the low 20's.

Hell, it's 25 in my place right now, and I have the heat turned allll the way off.

EDIT: Pun intended. It's hell.

[Robbob]

Regarding that tinting or UV film. I was at Costco and picked up a do it yourself kit for around $60. 4' x 24'. Seemed to work pretty good on the heat lamp they had so I thought I would pick it up to give it a go.

[Sammymydog1]

We have central a/c in our home & also had in our prior home. I now could not imagine living without it. It is great for those 2-3 weeks per year when you "need it" and equally as great for the other 2-3 months per year when it gets used.

One thing we have done that doesn't invovle the a/c is put a phantom screen door on both the front & back door of the house. Once the sun goes down & the temps cool off, we open both doors & get great airflow through the main level through the screens. It doesn't necessarily do much for the upper floor but does cool down the main floor rather quickly.

[Brannigans Law]

Originally Posted by Nage Waza

That is interesting...I wonder how much better that is over the fans in the windows? I will try that this summer.

Another trick is for your ceiling fans to blow down in the winter and to pull up in the summer.

You def want ceiling fans to blow down on you as that will cool you better than pulling warm air up imo.

[return to the red]

I have very large south facing windows and Central Air. This year I'm going to tint the windows because even though I have blindes and AC it still gets way to hot. I figure the energy savings I can get from the AC unit will easily pay for the tint in no time.

I guess what I'm trying to say is spend the money on tint first and if you are still unhappy, look at AC.

[Barbecue]

Cooking makes a difference. (some of this applies to saving electricity too)

Use a microwave for baking vs using the oven.
Use a lid when cooking with a pot and pan so you're efficiently using the heat.

Think about investing into of those thermos slow cookers for slow cooking

[Wormius]

Are you sure that you didn't mean a toaster oven instead of microwave? Toaster ovens are great if you want to do small items like pizza pops or things like that, and don't want them soggy.

[Barbecue]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Are you sure that you didn't mean a toaster oven instead of microwave? Toaster ovens are great if you want to do small items like pizza pops or things like that, and don't want them soggy.

Toaster ovens will also produce less heat than a full oven, but yes, you can bake things like cookies and cake in the microwave

http://chefinyou.com/2010/08/baking-in-microwave-mode/

[ken0042]

I'm more surprised he didn't suggest using the BBQ more......

Seriously, go with central A/C. Yes, you may only need it 10 days per year, but I use mine a solid 3-4 months of the year. Instead of battling with opening windows, moving air, sleeping in the basement, etc- you just set the thermostat and forget it.

Also on those 10 days that you do need it; it's nice to be able to go outside and enjoy the heat, knowing you can come back in to cool off.

[Barbecue]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I'm more surprised he didn't suggest using the BBQ more......

That too

fire up that Barbecue on your porch for all your grilling, searing, pan frying, smoking needs.

[Frequitude]

Splurge on A/C.

[Komskies]

Any recommendations on who to go to for central AC installation? This is something I'm looking into doing this spring and some suggestions would be welcome. I know Costco will do it but I'm sure there are some other competitive places.