it's HOT in here!

[slg47]

Help!

my apartment faces west, and in the spring/summer gets UNBEARABLY hot. Inside the apt is often 10 degrees warmer than outside. It can easily reach upwards of 90 degrees in here...which is just uncomfortable.

We recently purchased Glia Titanium heat control window film and installed it. It doesn't seem to be working (thermostat says 90, weather.com says 69) but the directions said it could take up to 7 days for 'maximum effect'. Many of the internet reviews said that it worked instantly, so I am not holding out hope.

Does anyone have experience with heat reduction window film, blackout shades, other shades, awnings, something...that would help?

PS we also have a portable A/C unit but it doesn't seem to help too much either.

 

[yssie]

um.





?

 

[slg47]

hahahahahahaha

 

[kenny]

If the Architectural Digest photographers and Martha Stewart are not likely to drop by those Mylar space blankets (for camping emergencies) are fantastic!!!
Under $3 each - much cheaper than the aluminum foil I used to use.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_blanket

I use them on all my south facing windows all summer long.
I tape them to the inside of the windows with that blue painter's tape.

 

[MsP]

If the Architectural Digest photographers and Martha Stewart are not likely to drop by those Mylar space blankets (for camping emergencies) are fantastic!!!
Under $3 each - much cheaper than the aluminum foil I used to use.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_blanket

I use them on all my south facing windows all summer long.
I tape them to the inside of the windows with that blue painter's tape.

These sound and look rather ridiculous but they do work. If you're opposed to the look you can try thermal curtains with in/out exchange fans in the lower portions of the windows.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Help!

Does anyone have experience with heat reduction window film, blackout shades, other shades, awnings, something...that would help?

dress in your BD clothes...

 

[artdecogirl]

We have a south facing deck door and while heat is not a huge problem here in the summer it is a issue, we bought the thermal lined drapes and they make such a differance, we close them before it gets light out and open them after the sun passes and they don't look too bad either.

 

[Miss Sparkly]

If the Architectural Digest photographers and Martha Stewart are not likely to drop by those Mylar space blankets (for camping emergencies) are fantastic!!!
Under $3 each - much cheaper than the aluminum foil I used to use.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_blanket

I use them on all my south facing windows all summer long.
I tape them to the inside of the windows with that blue painter's tape.

Great idea! I was trying to figure out a way not to use that overpriced window film from home depot or invest in thermal curtains

 

[Cozystitches]

When we lived in our roach apartment (which had single pane glass in ARIZONA), in the summers to keep our AC bill down (under $200 was the goal) we did the following:

Have fans - fans will circulate the air which will help you to feel cooler
Hang up blankets in front of the windows (if you are concerned w/the ghetto look, you can hang them outside the curtains) we just got used to them and it being dark all summer
Close the doors and AC vents to non-used rooms (bathrooms, closets, bedrooms that aren't used)
Cook using the Crockpot, avoid using the oven at all cost.
Use the rice cooker/microwave for cooking rather than the oven/stove top.

Hopefully these will help. It was horrible living there and I'm so relieved that we moved. Our new house has Adobe Brick (great for desert south west), we had insulation blown into the attic, and we are replacing our windows. These have all made an amazing difference.

 

[kenny]

If the Architectural Digest photographers and Martha Stewart are not likely to drop by those Mylar space blankets (for camping emergencies) are fantastic!!!
Under $3 each - much cheaper than the aluminum foil I used to use.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_blanket

I use them on all my south facing windows all summer long.
I tape them to the inside of the windows with that blue painter's tape.

Great idea! I was trying to figure out a way not to use that overpriced window film from home depot or invest in thermal curtains

Yeah I've used this mylar foil for 5 years now.
Every fall I just throw them away since they're so cheap and peeling the tape off can ruin the foil.
Heavy curtains coverr those windows anyway so we never actually see the foil or the tacky blue tape.

It really keeps the heat out.

 

[slg47]

ok, we will see if the film starts to work but if not we will definitely get the blankets. those are much cheaper and easier to install! it would be nice to see outside but at this point I really don't care.

 

[VRBeauty]

I was going to suggest aluminum foil - that's what my neighbors use but it seems you've got that covered!

I live in the central valley and I don't have central air. I do have an old home that was designed before central air was an option, so it has great overhangs, large elm trees out front, and south-facing windows that can capture the delta breezes - when they come.

If you have the option of asking your landlord to install a whole-house fan, do it... and security screen doors, if appropriate for your house. If not, get fans that you can position in front of open windows and doors when you're home. My summertime strategy is to open the front door as soon as I get up, with the security screen door there to protect me, and turn the whole house fan up high. (The back door is always open at night during the summer, again protected with a security screen door locked with a good double-bolt lockset.) I cool the house down when it's cool(er) outside, then shut it up so it stays cool until outdoor temps cool down again. This works in all but the worst, longest heat waves. Window fans, though not as effective, will do the same thing if a whole-house fan isn't an option. If all else fails, install a small swamp cooler somewhere so you at least have one cool room to use as a retreat

Say, didn't you pose this same question about this time last year?

 

[slg47]

I was going to suggest aluminum foil - that's what my neighbors use but it seems you've got that covered!

I live in the central valley and I don't have central air. I do have an old home that was designed before central air was an option, so it has great overhangs, large elm trees out front, and south-facing windows that can capture the delta breezes - when they come.

If you have the option of asking your landlord to install a whole-house fan, do it... and security screen doors, if appropriate for your house. If not, get fans that you can position in front of open windows and doors when you're home. My summertime strategy is to open the front door as soon as I get up, with the security screen door there to protect me, and turn the whole house fan up high. (The back door is always open at night during the summer, again protected with a security screen door locked with a good double-bolt lockset.) I cool the house down when it's cool(er) outside, then shut it up so it stays cool until outdoor temps cool down again. This works in all but the worst, longest heat waves. Window fans, though not as effective, will do the same thing if a whole-house fan isn't an option. If all else fails, install a small swamp cooler somewhere so you at least have one cool room to use as a retreat

Say, didn't you pose this same question about this time last year?

haha...did I? it's possible!

 

[VRBeauty]

Say, didn't you pose this same question about this time last year?

haha...did I? it's possible!

SIg! Oops, my bad - I thought someone else posted the original question!

It's time for me to call it a night!

 

[slg47]

haha I actually searched through all of my old ering indecision threads...I don't think I posted one about this before! (but I could have missed it)

 

[iLander]

Tree.

Plant a tree in front of the windows.

Call your local agricultural extension service (phonebook) and ask them to recommend a fast-growing native tree. Natives require very little care, they grow fast and if it's deciduous, you'll still have warmth in the winter. You'd be surprised how fast that helps.

Or try one of these, Costco online has specials in the warmer months, and they really work well:
http://www.sharpusa.com/ForHome/HomeEnvironment/AirConditioners.aspx

I don't know the architecture of your area, but would a bahama shutter work?

Or wide-slat wood or faux wood blinds, mounted inside the window frame. We have those, and the blinds trap a layer of air between the window and the room.

 

[rubybeth]

Not sure where you are, but last summer was a doozy of heat waves in Minnesota, and we did the following:

a) blackout curtains
b) bought a dehumidifier
c) asked apartment manager for new air conditioning unit (ours was actually nearly dead)
d) opened windows at night when it was cooler/less humid
e) bought better fans

The blackout curtains were cheap at Target, the dehumidifier was an investment (we got one rated for enough square footage to use in a basement someday) and helps tons, and the new air conditioner + fans helped get the cooler air to our bedroom. It generally cools off at night here, though, which I know isn't the case everywhere. Good luck!