What are some good ways to cool a house in a hot, humid climate?

Question

I'm used to hot, but not humid. I'm thinking about moving to an area that is both hot and humid, and I won't be wanting to use the a/c much.

I noticed when I was visiting a hot, humid climate, some houses were very hot and some were very pleasant--on the same day, only a mile or two apart.

What makes one house be cooler? I'd be interested in all sorts of factors: For example, what areas to look for when buying a house; position of windows when building a house; material of the flooring; direction the windows are facing; trees and landscaping; interior design; etc. etc.

Thanks!

Answer 1

First make sure the insulation on the house is working and up to date. That includes spaces around the windows and doors. Since you want to cool the house, pull the shades down on the sunny side of the house. Don't open in the daytime, but open them at night. Use as little indoor lighting as possible, because older style bulbs (not the new florescent ones) create heat.

Trees and bushes on the sunny side of the house block the light from hitting the house in the first place. The standing water when you water indoor plants also cools the house down. If you can't put trees or bushes on the sunny side, look for window awnings.

Answer 2

I hope you know about solar energy, ground sourced energy and heat pumps.

My dad bought a house facing south. So did I. So has my son.

In this hemisphere, the sun is high in the sky, beating harmlessly on the roof in the hot summer months (saving us on cooling costs)...but n winter, the sun is low on the southern horizon pouring it's heat through our big front windows to save us on heating costs.

Also think about a "breeze-way" through your home, from a window that lets in a breeze from the west, through an open (wall-less) part of the house, to an exit window on the far eastern side of your house, just opposite the other one!