I have a 3-story house in the US Northeast. The AC that cools the 2nd and 3rd floor broke. instead of paying to replace it, I'm trying to use passive cooling techniques. The house was built in 1870, before ACs. I suspect the original residents had techniques for keeping it cool. For example, I suspect they had awnings on every window. They kept the windows open on the top floor to create cross winds that pushes the accumulated hot air out of the house. And I suspect they had large trees on the property to create shade and cool the air.
I'm slowly replicating these techniques plus some fans to help push hot air out, including a gabel fan in the attic. I started getting awnings, but not yet on every window, they definitely help. Started planting trees around the property and around the house to create shade. I did get two window ACs, one on 2 ND and one on the 3rd floor, to help when it gets to high 80's and above. I want to see how far I can take this. I'm definitely going with the approach of having more air flow vs. other passive techniques that lock in the air, e.g. closed attics.
I'm slowly replicating these techniques plus some fans to help push hot air out, including a gabel fan in the attic. I started getting awnings, but not yet on every window, they definitely help. Started planting trees around the property and around the house to create shade. I did get two window ACs, one on 2 ND and one on the 3rd floor, to help when it gets to high 80's and above. I want to see how far I can take this. I'm definitely going with the approach of having more air flow vs. other passive techniques that lock in the air, e.g. closed attics.