Where can you find information on cooling your home naturally?

Answer 1

The U.S. Department of Energy provides a fact sheet at Cooling Your Home Naturally that will provide you with information on how to reduce or replace the use of an air conditioning system by using nonmechanical ways to keep your home cool when it's hot outside.

Studies have shown that up to 93% of ceiling heat gain in summer months occurs from radiant heat transfers from attics heated by radiant energy from the sun. Roof shingles and decking absorb radiant heat generated by the sun and transfer this heat into attic spaces heating up existing insulation. Once this existing insulation meets its saturation point, it then radiates this heat to all surfaces within the interior of the home (ceilings and walls).

Radiant barrier products BLOCK almost ALL of this radiant heat.

RadiantGUARD®radiant barrier reflective foil insulation products can reduce attic temperatures by up to 30 degrees when installed to the underside of roof rafters. Lowering attic temperatures provides a significant benefit by reducing air conditional loads and energy usage. Attic insulation radiant barriers can also: * Reduce heat transfer from attic to living spaces by up to 50%, * Extend the life of air conditioning units, and * Increase the comfort level of a home. BLOCK 97% of the radiant heat with RadiantGUARD® products.