Feeling hot and sweaty is not ideal. But… turning on the air conditioning (especially early in the summer) is not ideal either. There are numerous health implication resulting from a persistent use of AC over a long period of time.
Here is how we can achieve thermal comfort without the use of AC:
1. Adapting to heat It takes the body about two weeks to get comfortable with a temperature change. If we turn on the AC it will be significantly harder to get comfortable in higher temperatures. It is better to wait out the short discomfort and feel much more comfortable for the rest of the summer.
2. Cross ventilation Opening doors and windows on opposite sides to create a natural breeze and cool down the home.
3. Use of fans Using fans – ceiling and free-standing fans – can help move the air. Placing a bowl of ice in front of the fan also helps cool the air. This could be helpful up to about 90-degree temperature depending on humidity.
4. Attic ventilation A lot of heat gets trapped in the attic. Adding ridge vents and attic fans help to reduce the heat in the attic and keep the home cooler longer.
5. Exterior window shutters and blinds When located on the exterior, the shutters and blinds stop the heat before it enters the home. Interior ones let the heat in making it much more difficult to cool.
6. Insulating the walls and roof Proper insulation keeps the home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Material and labor costs to insulate may be significantly lower compared to the operational cost of an AC.
7. Thermal mass Thicker heavier walls, such as concrete, brick and stone, have high thermal mass. In climates with large temperature differences between day and night thermal mass helps moderate and balance the indoor temperatures. They warm up slowly during the day and then slowly release the heat during the night, keeping the temperature more constant and cooling passively.
The main takeaway is that there are many practical alternative options to achieve thermal comfort in the summer without the use of air conditioners at home.
Learn about "How does the use of Air Conditioners in the Home affect our Health?" in this guide: https://www.holistichomesarchitecture.com/guide-use-of-air-conditioners.html
Drop me a line to evaluate your home this summer! Ana Ana Koleva Miller, RA, NCARB, Fitwel Amb.