3 ms·
If you look at old architecture in rural Georgia and Alabama. Houses are on rocks raised above the ground (air circulates underneath), 10 ft ceilings, a huge a
by beauzero 5y ago
If you look at old architecture in rural Georgia and Alabama. Houses are on rocks raised above the ground (air circulates underneath), 10 ft ceilings, a huge attic fan to pull cool air in in the evening, tall trees planted next to the house for shade (we have 4 pecan trees), and reflective tin roofs (if still shiny). This helped significantly to cooling in the summer. Winters aren't cold enough to warrant more than a fireplace in the common area. We have an old farm house built in the 1920's...the old original part of the house doesn't get uncomfortable until the temperatures outside get above 100. A newer part of the house with standard 9ft ceilings built in the 70's gets very warm and uncomfortable.
- gerikson 5y agoThe same kind of ideas were present in bungalows in British India and other parts of Asia. In general I think a lot of energy savings can be realized by accommodating buildings to the prevailing climate, and using passive means of heating and cooling.
- quercusa 5y agoWide eaves help as well to keep summer sun off windows and to provide a place for a porch. A gentle rain on a tin roof is a sure ticket to sleep; a strong one not so much. I'd never thought about ceiling height - that makes a lot of sense.
- theluketaylor 5y agoWell designed buildings for passive cooling/heating in the higher latitudes can also take advantage of wide eaves. Since the sun is lower in the sky during winter you can design a home with eaves that block the summer midday intensity but allow sunlight to flood in throughout the winter with some careful calculations and site placement. Houses built to suit their location can slash the amount of energy required to regulate the temperature.