There is a group of building code proposals that would allow us to green up Portland more effectively. They all make sense to me. My favorite change is the building overhang change. That is such a huge thing. My how has 2'6" overhangs and I have ceiling insulation and when it gets hot, my house does not. It's the overhangs!
The zoning changes include "such as making it easier to install wind and solar systems on commercial buildings, develop green power alternatives, improve bike parking in multifamily projects, and allow rainwater cisterns and wider roof overhangs within setbacks. Below is a summary of the green items included in the package." (Mike Obrien)
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
The low tech ways of keeping your house cool
There is a lot of buzz these days about all of the technical methods of keeping a house cool. The low tech ways are pretty easy to do. Buy cellular blinds for the east south and west facing windows. Cellular blinds act like insulation if you keep them closed during the hot parts of the day, your house is kept cooler. If you don't like the look of the blinds, buy light colored curtains the light color does not absorb the heat.
If you have a basement and a forced air heating system, run the fan on that to get the cool air from the basement circulating in your house.
Ceiling fans are another inexpensive investment to make you feel cool.
For future cooling, plant deciduous trees to the south of your house. That will shade your house during the hot parts of the year and allow solar gain during the cool parts of the year.
If you have a basement and a forced air heating system, run the fan on that to get the cool air from the basement circulating in your house.
Ceiling fans are another inexpensive investment to make you feel cool.
For future cooling, plant deciduous trees to the south of your house. That will shade your house during the hot parts of the year and allow solar gain during the cool parts of the year.
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