Keep your home cool without air conditioning with these tips from scientists

Summer has just begun. And we have already had to deal with an episode of severe heat. All the more difficult to bear when the temperature rises even in our homes. The temptation is then great to turn on the air conditioning – for those who have it. But University of Oregon researchers (United States) teaches us today that the so-called “passive conditioning” measures can prove to be just as effective.

What is it about ? Just open the windows at night and close the shutters in the sunniest hours of the day. According to the researchers’ simulations, there would be enough of it to maintain a comfortable temperature in the house – you understand “outside the danger zone” – at least during the first three days of heaviness wavewave From HeatHeat. All without resorting to artificial air conditioning.

Close the shutters and open the windows

The researchers worked on data from the extreme heat wave that hit Oregon in June 2021. Temperatures were close to 47C at the time! A deadly episode. Especially in denser urban areas. Few houses are equipped with air conditioning systems. Because the temperature usually remains livable in the region.

To stay or stay? Why with the global warmingglobal warming, this type of heat wave is expected to repeat itself. The researchers are delighted to have been able to demonstrate the benefits of passive conditioning. More effective when using external blinds than closed internal blinds when SunSun tap on the windows and when you open the windows at night or early in the morning to let in theairair the freshest. “We did not expect such efficiency”recognizes Alan Rempel, mathematician, in a statement from the University of Oregon. However, with his team he has just demonstrated that passive air conditioning can advantageously replace energy-intensive air conditioning systems that drive up bills and greenhouse gas emissions.