Natural Cooling

This tip came to us through Green Building Blocks, a good source of information on green construction products and techniques.

Natural cooling systems incorporate shading from deciduous trees (for east- and west- facing glass), window overhangs and awnings, and radiant heat-reflective barriers installed in the attic space.

Benefits:
Natural cooling reduces the need for air-conditioning, saves money on energy bills, and makes homes without air-conditioning more comfortable.

Application:
Any combination of natural cooling techniques can be used to reduce overheating in homes. Use awnings and window overhangs primarily on south-facing glass to provide a balance between summer cooling and winter heating through solar gain. Use landscaping to shade east- and west- facing windows.

Looking for additional ways to keep the homes you build cool? Here are a few solutions to consider, from GBB’s Product Guide (which contains over 1500 independently-reviewed green products):

Scotchtint Plus All Season Films
Lutron Shading Solutions
Greenscreen Trellising System