A Lesson in Temperature Management

Bodryn · 07-19-2010, 11:00 PM

Decades ago, when I rented the second floor of a rather large old house owned by a charming and generous old widow, I encountered the problem of summer heat. I bought a window air-conditioner, and that served reasonably well in one room but not so much in the other rooms. Also the cycling of the air compressor was disturbing and kept making me jump.

The next spring, I noticed that the attic door (on the bedroom ceiling) was about the size of a large window fan. I checked the house out, and yes, it did have attic vents, so I put a window fan into the ceiling hole, set to push the inside air up and out of the attic vents, and from then on, even on rather warm days, I found that with the windows open, I had the most wonderful refreshing breeze and comfort throughout the apartment that I could ever have imagined. I came to realize that much of the discomfort of that 2d floor apartment must have been caused by downward radiation of attic heat, and when I pushed that heat outside, it left the apartment very comfortable. I intended to also use the air-conditioner as needed, but it turned out I didn't really need it.

It occurs to me also, that maybe in certain circumstances, a reverse fan might be helpful in saving energy when heating the house.

Recently I found YouTube videos by the late Dennis Weaver as he helped build his house, I believe in New Mexico, based on the south-facing earth berm concept. It was refreshing to see an actor who seemed to know his way around construction as well as acting. His house ended up to be totally energy self-sufficient.

JDtech · 07-20-2010, 06:46 AM

Wonderful story, Bodryn.

jcjacob · 07-20-2010, 01:14 PM

That's great Bodryn, and something unfortunately too few homeowners realize or take advantage of. In my last house, during the summer months even if the AC ran enough to make the downstairs feel chilly, it stayed uncomfortably warm upstairs. I had a 4' x 4' vent installed in the roof with an attic fan, and with that running, found that upstairs always stayed comfortable, and I only needed to run the AC when it was very muggy and humid.

Unfortunately in my current home, I have cathedral ceilings in every room and NO attic, so the only place the heat from the roof can accumulate is inside the house

Bodryn · 07-24-2010, 07:01 PM

Interesting (somewhat related) subject: I hear that some Japanese cars are going to have solar-powered exhaust fans in the roof to keep the car cool when parked in the sun. That suggests to me a well-hidden similar small exhaust fan near the top of a cathedral ceiling to let hot air out? Just an idea....

jcjacob · 07-24-2010, 07:42 PM

That would be very cool (maybe even literally!). Obviously it would have to be weatherproof - keep rain and moisture out (as well as insects) and not allow heat to escape in the winter when it was not in use.

Off topic completely....Love the quote in your signature!

07-19-2010, 11:00 PM	#1
Bodryn Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Minnesota; Manitoba Posts: 90	A Lesson in Temperature Management Decades ago, when I rented the second floor of a rather large old house owned by a charming and generous old widow, I encountered the problem of summer heat. I bought a window air-conditioner, and that served reasonably well in one room but not so much in the other rooms. Also the cycling of the air compressor was disturbing and kept making me jump. The next spring, I noticed that the attic door (on the bedroom ceiling) was about the size of a large window fan. I checked the house out, and yes, it did have attic vents, so I put a window fan into the ceiling hole, set to push the inside air up and out of the attic vents, and from then on, even on rather warm days, I found that with the windows open, I had the most wonderful refreshing breeze and comfort throughout the apartment that I could ever have imagined. I came to realize that much of the discomfort of that 2d floor apartment must have been caused by downward radiation of attic heat, and when I pushed that heat outside, it left the apartment very comfortable. I intended to also use the air-conditioner as needed, but it turned out I didn't really need it. It occurs to me also, that maybe in certain circumstances, a reverse fan might be helpful in saving energy when heating the house. Recently I found YouTube videos by the late Dennis Weaver as he helped build his house, I believe in New Mexico, based on the south-facing earth berm concept. It was refreshing to see an actor who seemed to know his way around construction as well as acting. His house ended up to be totally energy self-sufficient. __________________ Members don't see ads in threads. Register your free account today and become a member on Tech Today Online, gaining access to posting privileges, contests, free plug-ins and other downloads, unlimited online storage for your photographs, reviews, free marketplace listings, and much more. __________________ Bodryn ======== "Where are we going? And why are we in this handbasket?"

07-20-2010, 06:46 AM	#2
JDtech Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 308 Blog Entries: 1	Wonderful story, Bodryn. __________________ Follow me on Twitter \| My Tech Blog

07-20-2010, 01:14 PM	#3
jcjacob Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Doylestown, PA Posts: 159	That's great Bodryn, and something unfortunately too few homeowners realize or take advantage of. In my last house, during the summer months even if the AC ran enough to make the downstairs feel chilly, it stayed uncomfortably warm upstairs. I had a 4' x 4' vent installed in the roof with an attic fan, and with that running, found that upstairs always stayed comfortable, and I only needed to run the AC when it was very muggy and humid. Unfortunately in my current home, I have cathedral ceilings in every room and NO attic, so the only place the heat from the roof can accumulate is inside the house __________________ -John

07-24-2010, 07:01 PM	#4
Bodryn Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Minnesota; Manitoba Posts: 90	Interesting (somewhat related) subject: I hear that some Japanese cars are going to have solar-powered exhaust fans in the roof to keep the car cool when parked in the sun. That suggests to me a well-hidden similar small exhaust fan near the top of a cathedral ceiling to let hot air out? Just an idea.... __________________ Bodryn ======== "Where are we going? And why are we in this handbasket?"

07-24-2010, 07:42 PM	#5
jcjacob Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Doylestown, PA Posts: 159	That would be very cool (maybe even literally!). Obviously it would have to be weatherproof - keep rain and moisture out (as well as insects) and not allow heat to escape in the winter when it was not in use. Off topic completely....Love the quote in your signature! __________________ -John

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