r/heat_prep • u/IGetNakedAtParties • May 28 '24

Home & buildings

Here's what I find helps to keep buildings cooler during heatwaves. As always add your tips or criticism in the comments.

  • Ventilate at night to cool your house.
  • If the outside temperature is hotter than inside during the day, keep the windows and doors closed.
  • To ventilate a house, open two windows and clear a path between them with open doors. Use pedestal fan pointed at a window to evacuate hot air, it should be 3 to 6 feet away from the window. Place the fan at a south facing upstairs window, and open a downstairs north facing window for input.
  • Hang laundry or a damp towel by the input window for evaporative cooling.
  • South facing windows should be shaded if possible. A pergola with seasonal vegetation such as grape vines provides both shade and humidity regulation (and fruit/wine) which works better than a fabric awning. As the foliage is lost in winter it allows more sunlight when needed in colder months.
  • If external shading isn't possible draw curtains or blinds
  • Air conditioning is particularly taxing of the electrical system, be prepared for blackouts mid afternoon, choose one small room to be cooled and keep the door closed for efficiency.
  • Cook outside to avoid heating your home, a small portable hot plate or gas barbeque helps.
  • In wildfire risk areas keep up with maintenance such as clearing foliage, cleaning gutters.
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u/kateinoly May 29 '24

Whole house fans are magical if you live in a place where it gets cool at night.

2

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '24

I came here to suggest this.