Cooling without Air Conditioning

Cooling without Air Conditioning

 
Despite the common use of air conditioning these days, many homes are still without central air conditioning systems and need alternate means of providing cooling.  One common approach is to use ceiling fans. Ceiling fans can be more of a fashion statement than an effective way of cooling your house; however, they do move the air and make you feel cooler.
Finding a ceiling fan to meet functional needs as well as match any interior decorating style is not a problem these days. Fans come in several sizes with blades made in just about any shape and/or material, sometimes making them the center of attention in a room and not just an accessory.  And the style of lighting fixtures that can be added to a fan is equally varied. Prices are surprisingly low for a basic, but still quite adequate model, to over $1,000 for decorator styles. Many now come with remote controls as well.
 
 
Aside from style, features to consider when selecting a fan include the size and height of the room.  A basic 52-inch fan can fit in just about any room. If needed, a larger fan or multiple fans can be used.  If the ceiling is high or slanted, as would be the case with a cathedral or vaulted ceiling, a special hanger and extension rod will be needed.  Fan blade pitch is a consideration for the amount of air movement as well as fan noise.  The more air moved the more of a cooling effect, but also the louder it will sound.   
Years ago, there were a lot of problems with the fan mounting components, actually allowing fans to fall.  Now, however, fans that have been tested and listed as complying with certain manufacturing standards come with the necessary hardware. That leaves it up to the installer to make sure in is installed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. A properly installed unit with a good quality motor should be fairly quiet. Improper installation can still be a concern for the proper operation of a fan as well as the safety of anyone below it.
The airflow direction produced by the fan can be changed to accommodate personal preferences for both the heating and/or cooling season. Setting the fan to blow the air down in the summer will provide a strong cooling breeze in the center of a room; while setting it to draw air upwards will pull the cool air toward the ceiling and circulate it around the room for more mild air flow.  In the winter, running the fan at low speed with the airflow directed downward is helpful in rooms with high ceilings, as the fan will push the hotter air that accumulates at the ceiling down to the occupied areas. Alternately, setting the fan to pull the warm room air upwards, causes it to wash over the colder outer wall surfaces, reducing the uncomfortable feeling caused by convection cooling on a cold winter day.
But a fan can only provide temporary cooling. Turn it off and the discomfort level can quickly rise.
So additional means of keep you cool during the warm months without air conditioning may be needed.  Here are a few tips to help:
 
1.     Install additional attic insulation to reduce the heat gain from outside.
2.     Improve attic ventilation; consider adding a thermostatically controlled vent fan.
3.     Install a whole house ventilating fan to use when the outside temperature is cooler than the air inside the house.
4.     Install awnings or window shades or blinds to reduce solar gain.
5.     Install shade plantings on the sunny sides of the house.
6.     Install storm windows where there are none.
7.     Install newer style e-Glass storm windows which reflect the sun's heat.
8.     Reduce lighting use.  Use cooler burning fluorescent lighting.
9.     Set the thermostat fan switch "ON" (if the house has hot air heat) to move and mix air throughout the house.
10.  Make sure the humidifier used with the heating system is turned off.
11.  Use large indoor appliance during the cooler part of the day, especially ovens.
12.  Limit the use of hot water for showers, which can raise temperatures as well as humidity levels in the house.
13. Use bathroom exhaust fans only long enough to remove excess heat or moisture, so that even warmer air isn’t drawn in from outside.
 
 
 
Note:  These tips only provide general guidelines. Since each situation is different, contact a professional if you have questions about a specific issue. More home safety and maintenance information is available online at www.housemaster.com.