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Are there low cost things I can do to keep my home cooler?
Posted on 6/26/24 at 10:44 am
Posted on 6/26/24 at 10:44 am
Things I've already done:
-new AC unit
-dehumidifier
-tint on windows
-ceiling fans rotation is set to pull warm air up (edit i was mistaken on this, they're blowing air down for "summer mode")
We have some trees but the attic still gets hot as shite in summer. I saw where you can get a zipper radiant barrier for your attic door, might do that next. What other things can I DIY to bring the energy bill down?
-new AC unit
-dehumidifier
-tint on windows
-ceiling fans rotation is set to pull warm air up (edit i was mistaken on this, they're blowing air down for "summer mode")
We have some trees but the attic still gets hot as shite in summer. I saw where you can get a zipper radiant barrier for your attic door, might do that next. What other things can I DIY to bring the energy bill down?
This post was edited on 6/26/24 at 1:34 pm
21
Posted on 6/26/24 at 11:03 am to Ingeniero
Air seal, and then add insulation to your attic if it's low.
Posted on 6/26/24 at 11:30 am to Ingeniero
quote:
ceiling fans rotation is set to pull warm air up
Can you explain this one please?
Posted on 6/26/24 at 11:33 am to MikeBRLA
quote:
Can you explain this one please?
I assume he's meaning reversing the rotation of the blades so that they spin in the opposite direction (pulling air up versus pushing air down)
Posted on 6/26/24 at 11:35 am to Ingeniero
Plant deciduous trees on the south side of the house.
Posted on 6/26/24 at 11:36 am to Ingeniero
The attic zipper is the easiest and biggest bang for your buck. You can see the other thread about adding whirlybird attic ventilation. Not as cheap as you'd expect. (as is anything contractor related in the 2020's)
I spent $800 on bags of blown in insulation + free machine rental.
Those aren't low-cost, but they can be high impact. Short of adding a cheap window unit in a bedroom to supplement the central unit, there aren't a ton of options.
I spent $800 on bags of blown in insulation + free machine rental.
Those aren't low-cost, but they can be high impact. Short of adding a cheap window unit in a bedroom to supplement the central unit, there aren't a ton of options.
Posted on 6/26/24 at 11:41 am to Ingeniero
Install attic turbines. I had 2 installed...big difference
Posted on 6/26/24 at 11:41 am to Ingeniero
It’s tacky but you can put 1” polypro foam board in the windows to limit heat that comes through the windows. Or foil.
Posted on 6/26/24 at 11:58 am to Ziggy
quote:
assume he's meaning reversing the rotation of the blades so that they spin in the opposite direction (pulling air up versus pushing air down)
That’s what I thought as well. If so, that’s winter mode, not summer and is having the opposite effect he’s looking for.
Posted on 6/26/24 at 12:03 pm to Ingeniero
Maybe add radiant barrier in your attic.
Posted on 6/26/24 at 12:05 pm to Ingeniero
Solar window screens look good and help the heat.
Posted on 6/26/24 at 12:21 pm to Ingeniero
quote:
-ceiling fans rotation is set to pull warm air up
There is no right/wrong "direction" of a ceiling fan. just remember the following:
1) fans cool people, not rooms. They add heat to a space when they are on
2) Fans should be set to the direction you feel the air movement the most during cooling seasons and set to the direction you feel them the least during heating season
3) ceiling fans are friggin awesome and when you feel the air, they can make a room feel 3 degrees cooler
Posted on 6/26/24 at 12:22 pm to Bestbank Tiger
quote:
Plant deciduous trees on the south side of the house.
The west/northwest sides would probably be more effective.
Posted on 6/26/24 at 12:38 pm to Ingeniero
I've seen houses undergo a pressure test by companies. They hook some sort of a vacuum or fan to a door frame, and hold smoke near windows and doors to determine where air can move in and out freely. No clue how much this costs or what kind of efficiency it provides to the electric bill.
Posted on 6/26/24 at 12:46 pm to WhiskeyThrottle
quote:
I've seen houses undergo a pressure test by companies. They hook some sort of a vacuum or fan to a door frame, and hold smoke near windows and doors to determine where air can move in and out freely. No clue how much this costs or what kind of efficiency it provides to the electric bill.
Sounds like an open-door blower test. Primarily used to measure infiltration levels of a home.
Here is a brief read on them: LINK
Posted on 6/26/24 at 12:53 pm to Ingeniero
I'm about to replace weather strips and my door sweep. You would be surprised how much cold air you'll lose on an old/worn out weather strip. Keep blinds/curtains closed if you aren't using natural light indoors.
Others mentioned but fans will generate heat when running, but they'll help blow down cold air if you're in that room.
I've heard of people washing their roof with their garden hose to help with heat, but I'm not sure if that does a whole lot in a day.
Others mentioned but fans will generate heat when running, but they'll help blow down cold air if you're in that room.
I've heard of people washing their roof with their garden hose to help with heat, but I'm not sure if that does a whole lot in a day.
Posted on 6/26/24 at 12:58 pm to notsince98
quote:
west/northwest sides would probably be more effective
South faces the Equator. The sun's path is always tilted in that direction.
Posted on 6/26/24 at 1:05 pm to MikeBRLA
quote:
If so, that’s winter mode, not summer and is having the opposite effect he’s looking for.
You're right, I had it backwards (the post, not the actual fan). It's set to "summer mode."
Posted on 6/26/24 at 1:08 pm to Bestbank Tiger
quote:
South faces the Equator. The sun's path is always tilted in that direction.
Not quite. that isn't how the earth's tilt works.
I'm in KC, during the summer the south side of the house only sees direct sun for about 2-3 hours mid-day. From about 3pm on, the north side of the house is getting direct sunlight. Being in the south, you probably get even more sun on the north side than I do.
The sun moves from south to north from Dec 20th to June 21st. Then it starts moving south. Only at mid day does it behave like you are assuming. The tilt changes things for mornings/afternoons for areas above the tropic line in the northern hemisphere and below the tropic line in the southern hemisphere.
This post was edited on 6/26/24 at 1:10 pm
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