How can I stay cool in the hot summer while using less AC?
• Air conditioning is not an absolute in a warming world. A good architect can design homes in hot climates that require little air-conditioning. But most of us aren’t building a new house or even moving any time soon, so here are some quick tips: During the day: Shut curtains, shades or blinds on the sunny side of the house. If you are considering new window coverings, look for venetian (or horizontal) blinds in highly reflective light colors that halve the heat buildup in your home. At night: Turn off the AC and create a convective cooling system with your windows and a couple fans. Crack open the windows on the lower-story. Don’t throw them open wide, just an inch or two—this will create a strong draft. Place portable and window mounted fans in your upstairs windows, facing outward to remove the rising hot air. Install a ceiling fan: Consuming only a tenth of the energy of AC, a ceiling fan will make the room feel up to ten degrees cooler. They’re no more difficult to install than a
