Ten years ago, I installed central air conditioning in my old house, but the south bedrooms were still too steamy. I thought about reworking the duct system to pump in more cold air, but tried something simpler first: I built these simple shutters to block out the afternoon sun. It worked—those rooms now stay comfortably cool.
According to energy experts, reducing sunlight through south and west windows is one of the best ways to cut cooling costs. (They estimate 7 percent savings, on average.) Aside from the usual options like shutters, shades and curtains, also consider window film, which is easy to apply and blocks heat but lets in light.
— Gary Wentz, Senior Editor
Heat-reducing window film
How to cut cooling costs
How to shade your deck or patio
I have a similar problem of heating/cooling in my 1955 era house, but most of the issue centers around a lack of insulation in the walls. The house is brick and aluminum siding over the original wood siding. I'm debating between injected expandable foam and blown in fiber. I'm leaning toward the foam due to its ability to seal cracks better, and the ability to apply it in the regions with brick. But there are lots of different types - any recommendations on foam vs fiber and type would be greatly appreciated. Art
WTH??? I posted a long reply, but it has "gone away" because I didn;t log in first??? Well then, why bother?
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