There was a time when air-conditioners, swamp coolers and electric fans didn't exist. In those days, to cool off the inside of their homes, folks were forced to use their ingenuity. In the desert, south-facing widows are bad things. In cold country, south-facing windows are desirable. Settlers used Mother Nature to their advantage because they had too. They considered prevailing winds that would promote cross-ventilation and built next to water and tree cover for their cooling and shading effects.
Today it could cost a small fortune to live near the water - if, in fact, any was available. And with new homes often being built in groups of a hundred or more, one would be fortunate to personally select colors, let alone have the home positioned for optimum energy-efficiency. However, it doesn't hurt to think along the lines and use some of the same common sense of our ancestors. In the short run you can count on being more comfortable and in the long run you can count on saving money. Most air conditioners run on 220 - twice as much voltage as 110.
First, a lesson about sunshine: When the sun rises in the morning, it heats a home through any east-facing windows. The same thing happens in the afternoon when the sun begins to set. West-facing windows allow hot afternoon sun to bake the occupants. Curtains are cute and may match the furniture in the rest of the room, but there isn't anything as effective as roller shades. They are inexpensive and effective. Exterior shades are considerably more effective than interior ones because they prevent the heat from entering the house in the first place. Unfortunately, most people don't want to go outside every time the shade has to be opened or closed. There are exterior-mount shades that operate from the inside via through-wall pulleys, but they are expensive and haven't won any awards for good looks. Awnings are a great way to reduce heat. They are not permanent and can be left in place until late fall at which point they can be removed and stored until early spring. You want all the sunlight you can get during the winter months.
The trick to tree and shrub placement is to place foliage so that it provides shade in the summer but not in the winter. Doing this is easy. Place shrubs on east and west exposures to block early morning and late afternoon sun. Moderate-size trees block late morning and early evening sun. Large trees are placed to shade the roof. The sun is hottest when it is high in the sky. In fact, at noon the sun is closer to you than any other time of day. During the winter, sunshine is a good thing for a house. That's why it's important to plant deciduous trees. They lose their leaves in winter while providing shade in the summer. The branches of a bare tree can block out 20 percent to 30 percent of needed sunlight, so prune regularly. It's good for sunlight and good for the tree.
Every landscape will be different. Even your neighbor's home will be slightly different from your own. It might not be a bad idea to work with your neighbors to develop a neighborhood shade plan, one that benefits everyone. A warning: Some trees have enormous roots that grow very near the surface. A tree planted too close to the foundation of your home could do major damage. It might be a good idea to contact a nursery in your area to determine which shrubs and trees will work best to fulfill your needs.
As we mentioned, south-facing windows are a good thing in the winter or in chilly climates. They should be kept clear during winter months when collecting sunshine becomes more important than reflecting it.
Finally, be sure that there is a thick layer of insulation in your attic.
