GBA Logo horizontal Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram YouTube Icon Navigation Search Icon Main Search Icon Video Play Icon Plus Icon Minus Icon Picture icon Hamburger Icon Close Icon Sorted
Green Basics

Cooling Options

To Cut Energy Costs, Look for Low-tech Cooling First

ABOUT COOLING Consider living without air conditioning For thousands of years, people have lived in hot climates without air conditioning. Because air conditioners use lots of energy, green builders should consider other cooling options before concluding that a house requires air conditioning. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, two-thirds of U.S. homes have air conditioning systems, which collectively consume 5% of all electricity generated in the country and cost homeowners about $11 billion a year. In parts of the country where high temperatures, high humidity or both are a fact of life, air conditioning is considered a necessity. There are, however, a number of ways to lower indoor air temperatures short of installing large, energy-intensive air conditioning systems. Among suggestions from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy: Insulate and tighten. Well-insulated houses don’t need as much mechanical air conditioning as poorly insulated houses. Meeting or exceeding insulation levels recommended by the Department of Energy is a good first step. That’s easiest to do in new construction but still feasible as a retrofit, especially when it comes to attic insulation. Choose low-solar-gain glazing. Windows with low solar heat gain coefficients will help lower indoor temperatures and significantly reduce cooling loads. Replace inefficient appliances and products. Replacing old refrigerators with energy-efficient models, exchanging incandescent light bulbs with fluorescents and unplugging electronic equipment when not in use to reduce phantom energy loads all contribute to a cooler interior. Use cool exterior finishes. Light colored roofing and siding can reduce cooling demands by as much as 15%. Keep it shady. Planting deciduous trees and shrubs near south- and west-facing walls can help block intense summer sun. Window shades and horizontal trellises are an option where outdoor plantings are not practical or ineffective. Update existing cooling equipment. If the house already has an…

GBA Prime

This article is only available to GBA Prime Members

Sign up for a free trial and get instant access to this article as well as GBA’s complete library of premium articles and construction details.

Start Free Trial

3 Comments

  1. Larsen | | #1

    Swamp coolers
    Evaporative cooling is a good option for dry areas.

  2. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay | | #2

    Response to Larsen
    Larsen,
    The GBA Encyclopedia has an extensive section discussing evaporative coolers:
    https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/green-basics/fans-and-natural-cooling#about%20evaporative%20coolers

  3. jgant61 | | #3

    Passiv Haus - one reaction in Europe: ACTIVE HOUSE
    The issues of Passiv Haus to reduce daylighting and natural ventilation, perhaps excessively, for ever-increased air-tightness has led to a thoughtful response by others - see this new movement: http://www.activehouse.info/ "ACTIVE HOUSE" seems to be a very sensible evolution.

Log in or become a member to post a comment.

Related

Community

Recent Questions and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |