Older homes tend to get a bad rap for being energy inefficient, but the truth is, many older homes have built-in energy-saving systems that homeowners can use to their advantage, particularly at this time of year.
The vast majority of older homes are built from stone or brick with thick walls that retain heat in the winter and cool in the summer by way of their mass. Often, these houses also have small windows on the third floor or attic that are meant not only to allow light into the house, but also to allow hot air out during the summer. Opening these small windows creates negative pressure inside the house, which then draws cool air from the basement, where temperatures hover between 60 and 70 degrees at this time of year. This cooling air convection, combined with the thermal mass of the brick or stone, means many of these homes can go several days at a time during a heat wave without requiring any artificial air conditioning or cooling. This is natural cooling at work!
If you do need to resort to turning on the A/C, you’ll want to assess how well your cooling system is working for you. Here are some symptoms of poor performance to look for:
- Your air conditioner is running non-stop.
- Humidity levels inside your home remain high, even though your air conditioner is running
- You can feel “hot spots” in your home, especially near the ceiling, doors, or windows.
- Certain rooms don’t cool as well as others.
- You never seem to be able to achieve and maintain a comfortable temperature.
- Someone in your home has asthma or other respiratory problems that aren’t relieved indoors./li>
- Your energy use for cooling is high, resulting in expensive utility bills.
Of course, when windows are closed during the warmer months, it’s more important than ever to ensure that your house has good, healthy air quality, with controls for moisture, allergens, and fresh air exchange.
There are many affordable solutions to these and other problems you may be experiencing. Call us, and we will help you sort out the issues and come up with a plan that will help you feel more comfortable and save money at the same time.
For a much more in-depth look at this topic, check out this great article from Mother Earth News: Forget AC! Cool Your Home Naturally.
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