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Video:

How to better equip your home for hotter temperatures

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If a cool room is directly under an attic or roof, having lighter colored roofing (home on left) will reduce heat gain to the space as compared to darker roofing (home on right) because the temperature of the roof will be lower (see thermal image)

If a cool room is directly under an attic or roof, having lighter colored roofing (home on left) will reduce heat gain to the space as compared to darker roofing (home on right) because the temperature of the roof will be lower (see thermal image)
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In hot climate zones, shade building surface with vegetation for passive cooling.

In hot climate zones, shade building surface with vegetation for passive cooling.
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In hot, dry climates, passive cooling should focus on shading, night flush through cross ventilation and whole-house fans, potentially using high-mass construction

In hot, dry climates, passive cooling should focus on shading, night flush through cross ventilation and whole-house fans, potentially using high-mass construction
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In hot, humid climates, passive cooling should focus on shading, airflow through cross ventilation and ceiling fans, and low-mass construction

In hot, humid climates, passive cooling should focus on shading, airflow through cross ventilation and ceiling fans, and low-mass construction
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In midsummer, the roof and skylights will receive much more solar radiation per square foot than an unshaded east- or west-facing wall, which in turn will receive more solar energy than north- or south-facing walls

In midsummer, the roof and skylights will receive much more solar radiation per square foot than an unshaded east- or west-facing wall, which in turn will receive more solar energy than north- or south-facing walls
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In the middle of summer, the sun shines most directly on the east and west sides of a house, while in winter it shines mostly from the south.

In the middle of summer, the sun shines most directly on the east and west sides of a house, while in winter it shines mostly from the south.
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In this dwelling unit ventilation configuration, a forced air system provides outside air at the same rate as the air being exhausted from the bathroom fan; local kitchen exhaust is provided by a range hood with a dedicated makeup air intake

In this dwelling unit ventilation configuration, a forced air system provides outside air at the same rate as the air being exhausted from the bathroom fan; local kitchen exhaust is provided by a range hood with a dedicated makeup air intake
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In this ventilation configuration, an air handler provides outside air at the same rate as the air being exhausted from a bathroom fan; local kitchen exhaust has a dedicated makeup air intake; dehumidification is provided separately

In this ventilation configuration, an air handler provides outside air at the same rate as the air being exhausted from a bathroom fan; local kitchen exhaust has a dedicated makeup air intake; dehumidification is provided separately
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Inducing airflow through the stack effect requires low inlets and high outlets such as a ridge hood or crown monitor

Inducing airflow through the stack effect requires low inlets and high outlets such as a ridge hood or crown monitor
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Infrared photometry shows the impact of a roof overhang on the south façade of a home, where the unshaded patio stonework is significantly hotter than the shaded portions of the patio and wall surfaces (temperature scale shown is in Celsius).

Infrared photometry shows the impact of a roof overhang on the south façade of a home, where the unshaded patio stonework is significantly hotter than the shaded portions of the patio and wall surfaces (temperature scale shown is in Celsius).
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Installing an ENERGY STAR ceiling fan is a low-energy way to improve comfort in a designated cool room

Installing an ENERGY STAR ceiling fan is a low-energy way to improve comfort in a designated cool room
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Interior window attachments such as these light-filtering roller shades can reduce heat gains while providing pleasant, diffuse natural light.

Interior window attachments such as these light-filtering roller shades can reduce heat gains while providing pleasant, diffuse natural light.
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Keep mulch away from trunk of the tree to allow air circulation at the root collar.

Keep mulch away from trunk of the tree to allow air circulation at the root collar.
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Kitchens should be equipped with an exhaust fan that vents directly outdoors

Kitchens should be equipped with an exhaust fan that vents directly outdoors
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Landscape trees and shrubs to funnel cooling breeze towards a home in hot climate zones.

Landscape trees and shrubs to funnel cooling breeze towards a home in hot climate zones.
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Landscaping and Bahama shutters can provide important shade for a designated cool room

Landscaping and Bahama shutters can provide important shade for a designated cool room
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Large deciduous trees provide heat-blocking shade to the walls and windows of this house.

Large deciduous trees provide heat-blocking shade to the walls and windows of this house.
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Leave the soil level around an existing trunk as is (left); do not increase soil height (center) or remove soil in the root zone (right).

Leave the soil level around an existing trunk as is (left); do not increase soil height (center) or remove soil in the root zone (right).
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Light colors have been used on exterior walls and roofs to keep buildings cooler in hot climates for centuries, as shown by this traditional building in Morocco, built in the early 1800s

Light colors have been used on exterior walls and roofs to keep buildings cooler in hot climates for centuries, as shown by this traditional building in Morocco, built in the early 1800s
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Light-colored roofs and walls and deep overhangs for shade are some of the features used by builders in the hot-humid climate (Source: Alys Beach Construction).

Light-colored roofs and walls and deep overhangs for shade are some of the features used by builders in the hot-humid climate (Source: Alys Beach Construction).
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Locating windows on adjacent and opposite sides of the house will allow cross ventilation regardless of wind direction

Locating windows on adjacent and opposite sides of the house will allow cross ventilation regardless of wind direction
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Louvers and jump ducts allow cross ventilation through rooms with closed doors

Louvers and jump ducts allow cross ventilation through rooms with closed doors
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Low perimeter to area (P/A) ratio home designs reduce heat transfer and perform better in hot climate zones than high P/A ratio homes.

Low perimeter to area (P/A) ratio home designs reduce heat transfer and perform better in hot climate zones than high P/A ratio homes.