07-02-2008, 09:34 AM
Here's a copy and paste excerpt from the article I linked in last post
http://www.doctajstutoring.com/webdoc22.htm
"During the 2006, 110 F heat wave, I set my roof sprinklers up to spray at 10 a.m., 12 noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. - for four minutes each time. Although the spray only reached about 50% of the roof, I had approximately 8 gallons of total hot water runoff (water from downspouts averaged 140 F). This meant nearly 88 gallons of cool water was warmed and vaporized on my roof. This was the cooling capacity of 880,000 BTUs!! In comparison, an average window-type air conditioner is rated at about 10,000 BTUs.
Further, my attic temp dropped from 135 F (at 2 p.m.) on a day when the roof was NOT cooled, to 117 F (at 2 p.m.) on a day when it was cooled (two days later). On both days the outside air temp was 108 F (as measured at my house patio).
When I use the roof sprayers to keep my home at 82 F, it required only 40% of the air conditioner use as when I didn't use the sprayers. On the days measured, my A/C use dropped from 7 hours to a fraction more than 3 hours. Based on a measured A/C savings of 0.1 kWh/gal, the minimum A/C savings equated to approx. 9 kWh/day (the energy of 90 screw-in fluorescent light bulbs on for 15 hours a day)."
Others use soaker hoses. With our pitched roof and a soaker hose I don't think the water could flow up so that shouldn't be a problem.
The house other than summer day sleeping is perfect for us. Son doesn't want to move. Not an option. We want to try the water on the roof system. If that doesn't work, since neither of is an A/C repair person or electrician, I will print out the DIY for having the A/C outside of the room and thermostat inside the room and see if I can find someone who can rig this up. I can do the duct part, just not the thermostat part. But anyway I think the roof cooling is brilliant. It's mentioned on many green living sites. The reason I post it here is I was wondering if given our humidity if it works here. But then one of the Home Depot clerks who gave me the idea (before I researched it) said she's seen people use it...doesn't mean it works here though.
Carey we have the windows covered with the reflective stuff so thanks again and that keeps the heat from coming through the glass.
And, yes, we cool it off at night (when he's in nightowl mode)and shut windows while it's nice and cool in there. By 8 or 9 a.m. it's an oven again. Yes, attic has ventilation - an open, screened window.
It's coming from the attic or walls or both. Faces south. Is in shade by 11 a.m. Plan on shading the vinyl siding walls too but I think the hot roof is the main problem. I'm going try the hose first as the cheaper of my two plans and then the remote A/C with a duct going into the room. I found some handymen in the phone book - maybe one won't be afraid of heights like we are.
Cindy
http://www.doctajstutoring.com/webdoc22.htm
"During the 2006, 110 F heat wave, I set my roof sprinklers up to spray at 10 a.m., 12 noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. - for four minutes each time. Although the spray only reached about 50% of the roof, I had approximately 8 gallons of total hot water runoff (water from downspouts averaged 140 F). This meant nearly 88 gallons of cool water was warmed and vaporized on my roof. This was the cooling capacity of 880,000 BTUs!! In comparison, an average window-type air conditioner is rated at about 10,000 BTUs.
Further, my attic temp dropped from 135 F (at 2 p.m.) on a day when the roof was NOT cooled, to 117 F (at 2 p.m.) on a day when it was cooled (two days later). On both days the outside air temp was 108 F (as measured at my house patio).
When I use the roof sprayers to keep my home at 82 F, it required only 40% of the air conditioner use as when I didn't use the sprayers. On the days measured, my A/C use dropped from 7 hours to a fraction more than 3 hours. Based on a measured A/C savings of 0.1 kWh/gal, the minimum A/C savings equated to approx. 9 kWh/day (the energy of 90 screw-in fluorescent light bulbs on for 15 hours a day)."
Others use soaker hoses. With our pitched roof and a soaker hose I don't think the water could flow up so that shouldn't be a problem.
The house other than summer day sleeping is perfect for us. Son doesn't want to move. Not an option. We want to try the water on the roof system. If that doesn't work, since neither of is an A/C repair person or electrician, I will print out the DIY for having the A/C outside of the room and thermostat inside the room and see if I can find someone who can rig this up. I can do the duct part, just not the thermostat part. But anyway I think the roof cooling is brilliant. It's mentioned on many green living sites. The reason I post it here is I was wondering if given our humidity if it works here. But then one of the Home Depot clerks who gave me the idea (before I researched it) said she's seen people use it...doesn't mean it works here though.
Carey we have the windows covered with the reflective stuff so thanks again and that keeps the heat from coming through the glass.
And, yes, we cool it off at night (when he's in nightowl mode)and shut windows while it's nice and cool in there. By 8 or 9 a.m. it's an oven again. Yes, attic has ventilation - an open, screened window.
It's coming from the attic or walls or both. Faces south. Is in shade by 11 a.m. Plan on shading the vinyl siding walls too but I think the hot roof is the main problem. I'm going try the hose first as the cheaper of my two plans and then the remote A/C with a duct going into the room. I found some handymen in the phone book - maybe one won't be afraid of heights like we are.
Cindy
http://www.CoconutRoads.com
"Taking you to the Heart of Hawaii"
"Taking you to the Heart of Hawaii"