In warmer months, three-quarters of the sunlight that shines through standard, double-pane windows enters the house to become heat. Adding window treatments, fixing broken and leaky windows, and choosing new, Low-E glass window panes designed to reduce heat gain can keep you comfortable with less wasted power.
Block the heat
Shade windows and walls using external coverings, like blinds, awnings or large potted plants. Plant deciduous trees that cast shade over your home in summer, but still let the sun shine through in winter.
The trick is to use the right type of window shades to block the heat and to install them as close to the glass as possible to get the maximum benefit. For insulation purposes, cellular or honeycomb shades are the most effective. The honeycomb shape helps to trap air, reducing your solar heat gain.
The kitchen foil on windows trick
If you're desperately attempting to keep cool, then take a roll and spread it on your windows - especially those that get direct sunlight. Windows magnify heat, so by using foil you're reflecting the sun off the window, sending it away from your home.
Why does household aluminium foil have one dull side and one shiny side? SO THAT the shiny side can reflect the heat on to the item to be cooked, using a long-established scientific principle that shiny surfaces reflect heat and light.
Aerogel is more expensive, but definitely the best type of insulation. Fiberglass is cheap, but requires careful handling. Mineral wool is effective, but not fire resistant. Cellulose is fire resistant, eco-friendly, and effective, but hard to apply.
Insulation. Simply put, this is the best way to cool down a house with big windows. While insulation may be only one word, it needs to be applied in multiple places (and in multiple ways) in order to really be effective in making a home like Jeff's more comfortable so he can enjoy those gorgeous Folsom views.
Options include shades, blinds, screens, awnings, draperies or curtains, and shutters. Operable window shades help control daylighting.
Stay in an air-conditioned indoor location as much as you can. Drink plenty of fluids even if you don't feel thirsty. Schedule outdoor activities carefully. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing and sunscreen.
Insufficient Insulation
Sufficient insulation is necessary when it comes to keeping cool air in and warm air out in the summer. If areas of your home are poorly insulated, you'll likely notice that area is warmer in the summer and colder in the winter compared to the rest of your home.
If you are in a pinch, bubble wrap is an excellent insulator for summer windows. Simply spray a light mist of water on your windows, and lay bubble wrap against them to act as another layer of glass. The bubble wrap will stick as long as you need, and it works to keep the hot out and the cold in.
Similar to the wet towel trick, ice is another expert-approved way to cool your room effectively. To do so, Beatrice explains that you should place a bowl of ice in front of your fan. 'The air will circulate through the ice, and as it does, it will pick up the cold temperature of the ice,' she says.
Water is a one-of-a-kind substance for many reasons. An obvious one is its unique ability to absorb heat. Water is able to absorb heat - without increasing much in temperature - better than many substances.
Insulators: Non-metal objects are used to slow down the transfer of heat. Different materials are better insulators than others. Good insulators include: wood, cloth, Styrofoam, cork, and plastic. (Glass and air also act as insulators.)
Reflective foil, bubble foil insulations, and radiant barriers are noted for their ability to reflect unwanted solar radiation in hot climates, when applied properly.
The Pros of Aluminum Foil on Windows
Foil can block up to 95% of the sun's rays and reduce heat gain inside your home. It can also provide privacy and prevent unwanted light from entering your rooms.
So, now that you know the reason behind the different appearance of the two sides, you're probably wondering if you should use aluminum foil with the shiny side up or down. Quite simply, it doesn't matter. Since both sides are made of the exact same material, they will perform exactly the same way.
It does sound crazy that a few dollars worth of aluminum foil can help keep the heat out of your house. Putting any sort of reflective material between a heat source and a target will reduce the transfer of radiant heat. The same principle is used for everything from survival blankets to spacecraft.