air conditioning alternatives

Air conditioners are expensive to operate (in a hot month, consuming $500 worth of electricity in air-conditioning is common) and climate-unfriendly: according to EERE, a typical AC system yields around 3,500 pounds of carbon dioxide and 31 pounds of sulfur dioxide per year.

That's why we should look for air conditioning alternatives and solutions to diminish its use. And there are indeed some several low-cost cooling strategies that should be considered...

Air Conditioning in New Homes

Your home's orientation and shape, or the materials, windows and doors used in it, determines most of its air conditioning needs. In most climates, good home designs, high levels of insulation and passive solar techniques can eliminate the air conditioning needs or reduce them to very low levels.

See: Cooling and Design.

Insulation

Before buying an air conditioning system or upgrading your cooling equipment, you should insulate and tighten your home. In most climates, insulation and high sealing levels are crucial to reduce or even eliminate the air conditioning requirements.

Insulation and air sealing prevent unwanted heat gains and cold losses, lowering air conditioning needs and bills. If your home is insufficiently tightened, insulation is a first priority. Insulation is, in many climates, the best air conditioning alternative.

See: House Insulation basics

Shade and windows

A poorly shaded home will need more air-conditioning. If you live in the northern hemisphere, in moderate climates, protecting south-facing windows and walls with deciduous trees or climbing foliage (north-facing windows and walls, if you live in southern hemisphere) is an effective way of reducing air-conditioning consumption.

Some types of trees and structures like trellis on east and west-facing windows can also help to reduce cooling needs. The shade of trees is very effective to reduce the impact of the high summer sun in our homes, but that also depends on the exact type of climate.

Also very important is the windows, and the glass used in them. Low-e glasses can block unwanted heat gains…

See:
Windows and glasses
Shade of trees, bushes and vines
Home landscape

Evaporative coolers

It’s unwise to invest on air conditioning without considering alternatives to it, and the best one in dry hot climates and some temperate climates is undoubtedly evaporative coolers.

Ceiling fans

Ceiling fans can be quite effective, unless in cases of high indoor humidity. Consider them as an air conditioning alternative. Unless you live in a humid climate, efficient ceiling fans can create drafts that will make you feel more comfortable in your home.

See: Ventilation and fans and Natural ventilation

Awning, shades, window films

Awnings, shades and window films can diminish your AC needs.

Roof materials and exterior finishes and colors

When painting your home or improving or replacing your roof, use light colors and "cool" roofing techniques. Roof coatings are excellent to cut down unwanted heat gains.

See: Roof coatings and Radiant barriers