I understand that we can get some 90+ degree days (with
high humidity) during the summer months, which is why air-conditioning is
extremely tempting. Its cooling effects in the mid-summer heat are felt instantly.
But before air-conditioning, architects and builders paid attention to the
location of a building on a site. They shaded the southern side of the building
with vegetation, designed plenty of windows to create cross-breezes and built
deep, covered porches for shade and sipping lemonade.
But now houses are built to face a street, ignoring the
direction of the sun and prevailing winds. And
lake cottages and vacation
homes, which are so prevalent here in New England, are strictly built to face
the view of the water or mountains, regardless of the direction they face.
Due to the growing costs of air-conditioning, not to
mention the increased use of precious energy, many of us would prefer a more
natural way to cool our homes this summer. So what can be done for the existing
homes and vacation cottages that need extra cooling?
Here are a few budget friendly ideas:
When the temperature is comfortable and there are
pleasant breezes outside, open your windows! There is no easier way to bring
summertime into your home than to open a window, feel the fresh air and to hear
the chirping birds; especially after being cooped up inside for a long, stuffy
winter. But as the summer progresses and the heat intensifies, it is best to
open your windows in the evening and overnight to help flush out any heat that
has accumulated throughout the day. Close them in the morning and draw the
blinds during the day (especially at the southern facing windows) and you'll be
surprised to find that your home feels much cooler than the outside
temperature. At first, I didn't like the idea of closing windows during the day
and losing sunshine, but it does work, and is a much easier and less expensive
alternative to air-conditioning. And if you're interested in investing some
money into the idea, look at installing insulated blinds. They'll help keep the
heat out during hot summer days and will help keep the heat in during cold
winter nights.
Minor Renovations Make a Major Difference
Add a window or two. As an example, if you only have one
window in a bedroom and don't get nice cross breezes during the cooler summer
nights, you might consider adding a window to the space. It'll add more natural
light to the room as well, which can also help lower your electric bill.
Screen-in a covered porch. I never knew about Black Fly
Season until I moved to New Hampshire, but I now have some sympathy. If you
have a covered porch or a deck that you don't use because the bugs carry you
away, build a roof over your deck and screen it in! There are plenty of lovely
summer evenings to enjoy outside rather than sitting in an air-conditioned
house.
Plant some trees. Deciduous trees on the south side of a
home will shade the southern windows in the summer, when the sun is most
intense. Then the bare winter trees will also allow light and heat to come through
those same windows when you need it the most. Understandably, this is more of a
long term improvement, but you'll be amazed at how quickly those trees will
grow.
Not only is turning off the air-conditioning better for
the environment, but it's better for our families.
So let's be mindful that there are many days when an open
window (and maybe a small fan) will keep us comfortable and keep us connected
to the outdoors. We only get a few precious weeks of summer here in New England
. . . it's important for us all to savor every last minute of it
