skip to main content

Heating & Air Conditioning

Suggestions for cooling my house

15 years ago

Every year I curse my house for not having central air. We sweat it out and by fall I forget all about it. So here we are again facing a 'heat wave' this weekend...

We live in New England and my DH swears he grew up without central air and doesn't miss it.... I on the other hand grew up in Virginia and thinks it's crazy to go without!

Our house has electric heat, so no duct work. It faces south with full sun in the afternoon. I'm sweating just thinking about it!

Can somebody with expertise out there just give me a rundown on the different options available? Thank you!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

bdpeck-charlotte
15 years ago
No expert, but I know the options:

1. window units

2. pass-thru wall units (you can find them on the web)

3. normal central AC (ducts in attic for second floor, ducts in crawl or basement for first floor - two units)

4. small diameter central AC (unico system for remodeling, duct work is much smaller and less invasive to a home)

5. within 3 and 4, you can go with AC, or a heat pump or a geothermal heat pump. Heat pumps are like AC that can reverse and heat as well as cool.

Retrofitting AC is not cheap, but local HVAC contractors can give you a real quote.
cambro5
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks so much for the list. That helps me get started anyway!
Related Discussions
Will the presence of solar panels really help cool my house?
Q
Comments (1)
. If you've ever been on a roof on a sunny day or in the attic; you'll know it gets awfully hot. Even overcast days it can get pretty unbearable. Solar panels, or most anything that's not clear for that matter; will help tremendously by simply deflecting or absorbing heat instead of letting it heat your roof up. I'm a big fan of solar power . . I've got a 2.8 kW sytem installed here . . . but they're an expensive way to keep things cooler. If you wanna do solar ( either PV or heat ) then great; a roof can be a good place to put that stuff; depending upon your climate / snowfall. If you're just trying to keep the place somewhat cooler; blow cellulose in the attic, and put on a metal roof instead of the usual shingles. You'll get more cooling bang for your buck . . . . Bob
...See More
My home AC Stopped Draining and Cooling
Q
Comments (1)
From your description (draining every once in a while), it sounds like you have a condensate pump. If this is the case, it's most likely due to the pumps inability to pump (motor failure, most likely). The pump probably has a safety feature which will shut the system down to avoid flooding. If there is an access hole, remove the cap and see if it's full of water. If it is, get some tubing and suck it out. Once the float level falls, the a/c should start up. V
...See More
I need paint suggestions for my house
Q
Comments (40)
I’m hearing you guys on this discussion as i had started a post for a tiny bathroom layout, but as things turned, we moved the stairs to create a closet because we will demo a closet to make bathroom then i gained new fun space in living room bc the stairs were re directed. I thought several times to create new post but I value everything here on houzz and every pro and non pros help and time and visits for sure. Made some friends along the way, which is cool. I follow a lot of posts and am thankful for everyone here. I imagine the time spent here helping the OP’s is not for not! And, lol, i’ll get to that bathroom one day, hopefully soon, and very thankfully i’ll have the pros and non pros come on and come back to help me, and never will take advantage or disregard any one. I had said many times in the past that it would be nice to be able to ‘pay back’ for the help and fun and enjoyment i receive for being able to be here!
...See More
Please make suggestions to enhance the front of my house
Q
Comments (23)
Thank you for all the ideas! Beverly, I do love that taupe house with the brown roof. What I meant to say is that with my roof being gray, I don't think I want gray siding to get the same effect. I would consider a brighter or bolder color over pastels. Sasha, i like the 2nd image with the bright yellow and wood door.. I am really drawn to the white images above and Beth's mockups. TY! Deco- that Deephaven Cottage pic looks a lot like my current color. I like the brighter blue on the door. Norwood- no offense taken. I realize it is plain, and that is why I posted. There was a huge tree in front at the curb that was recently taken down and so it feels especially plain and exposed now. I am in NJ and many trees are dying from a bacterial disease. Wsea- cool deck with the lighting. And, I agree that adding a full width front porch is most likely out of my price range,
...See More
udarrell_2007
15 years ago
A few years ago, I paid a little over $100 for a mere half-ton 6,000-Btu/hr window unit.

With a unique use of two 20" floor type fans it cools perfectly, even in a Heat-Index of 104-F, over 850-SF of the first floor of my old 1937 farm home that has a lot of windows. It is a quite unit & keeps me nice an cool.

See the home & how it is done.- udarrell

Here is a link that might be useful: Optimizing a Window Air Conditioner's Performance
PRO
WF Smith, Inc.
15 years ago
There are also ductless AC and HP options - they are the norm in many countries.

I couldn't imagine an electic heat house in NE - that must get expensive. A ductless Heat Pump may be able to provide some energy savings for heating too (until it gets too cold or a bunch of snow falls).

Here is a link that might be useful: Mitsubishi Ductless Systems
cambro5
Original Author
15 years ago
darrell, I looked at your article, but I must admit it was mostly above my head! Where do you place the fans you use to help circulate the air around the room?

Yes, electric heat does get expensive, but we get a special rate as we have alternate heat sources (two wood burning stoves) and with the price of oil these days, the price difference is getting smaller all the time!!

Related Stories

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 6 Suggestions for Harmonious Hardscaping

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Help a sidewalk, driveway or path flow with your garden design, for a cohesive and pleasing look

GREEN BUILDING Efficient Architecture Suggests a New Future for Design

By Spry Architecture

Homes that pay attention to efficient construction, square footage and finishes are paving the way for fresh aesthetic potential

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Nature Suggests a Toronto Home’s Palette

By Annie Thornton

Birch forests and rocks inspire the colors and materials of a Canadian designer’s townhouse space

REMODELING GUIDES Cool Your House (and Costs) With the Right Insulation

By Buckminster Green LLC

Insulation offers one of the best paybacks on your investment in your house. Here are some types to discuss with your contractor

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH YOUR HOUSE How to Capture Your Home in Its Best Light

By People&Spaces

Consider these 10 practical and creative suggestions to help you photograph the life and beauty of your home

Houzzers Say: A Wish List for the Entire House

By Becky Harris

10 dreamy suggestions to help a home meet all of your present and future needs

COLOR 4 Cool Paint Colors Touted for 2014 — and How to Use Them

By Jennifer Ott Design

Muted but complex, these hues from Farrow & Ball can stand on their own or play supporting roles

FUN HOUZZ 15 Cool Rooms and the TV Shows They Want You to Watch

By Becky Harris

Get nestled in with the fall 2014 premieres, some old favorite shows and a coordinating nosh

ARCHITECTURE Time-Tested, Low-Tech Ways to Cool a Home

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

People have been beating the heat around the world for centuries without plugging anything in. Could these ideas work for your home today?

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Retro-Cool Playfulness Fits a Dallas Family

By Sarah Greenman

Vintage furniture and shots of bright color throughout a midcentury home in Texas suit a design-minded couple and their 3 kids

Sponsored

More Discussions

Overamping and hard start kits

31

Installing a powder room on main floor with hydronic radiant heat theo

3

A/c making humming sound

4

is this leak due to condensation?

23

Geothermal heat pump

0