Hi! I'm a mum that likes to do DIY rather than pay for someone to do something I could learn myself.

Forums › Introductions › Hi! I'm a mum that likes to do DIY rather than pay for someone to do something I could learn myself.

Tara12345

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#240926 3-Oct-2018 09:12

Hi,

I enjoy DIY, I also tend to be a minimilist and don't like hoarding. I like trying to work out how to do things and I am good at persevering. I am a photographer and gardener and home schooling mum.

I joined so I could find out how to make our house cooler in summer because it is unbearably hot. I figure I've got time to try and work this out before the hot weather starts.

Looking foward to working this out.

Tara

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#2100457 3-Oct-2018 09:12

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#2100458 3-Oct-2018 09:12

Welcome to Geekzone!

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Dynamic

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#2100470 3-Oct-2018 09:19

Welcome to Geekzone!

I would love to have (or make) more time for DIY and gardening.....

Can you do something with a fan blowing through a wet lightweight teatowel? That might work for one person sitting in front of it, but not a room.

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MikeAqua

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#2100514 3-Oct-2018 09:54

Tara12345:

I joined so I could find out how to make our house cooler in summer because it is unbearably hot. I figure I've got time to try and work this out before the hot weather starts.

Welcome.

We are in Nelson and our house gets lots and lots of afternoon sun in summer. Also has a few sandflies and mozzies after the sun sets and we are close to the bush so lots of moths etc.

What worked for us is pleated/retractable insect screens so we could have doors/windows open for bit of cross-breeze

http://www.mccraes.co.nz/our-products/?tag=fly-screens

These also allow us to pull curtains to control glare, without them getting knocked around by the afternoon sea-breeze.

We have a heat pump but don't use it for cooling.

Mike

Tara12345

11 posts

Geek

#2100535 3-Oct-2018 10:01

Yes actually we did try that last year but it really didn't do much. We even tried ice in a tea towel. We just need more airflow. Our house just seems to trap the heat. Brilliant in winter. Terrible in summer.

RunningMan

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#2100548 3-Oct-2018 10:34

Welcome

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ObidiahSlope

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#2100587 3-Oct-2018 11:19

I suggest you investigate an evaporative cooler appliance.

This recommendation comes with some cautions.

These appliances are not widely available.

They pump moisture into the room so ventilation is critical and if you have an existing mold problem it will become worse.

The evaporative media can become stinky so ability to clean easily is an essential requirement.

Obsequious hypocrite

MikeAqua

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#2100690 3-Oct-2018 12:17

Tara12345:

Yes actually we did try that last year but it really didn't do much. We even tried ice in a tea towel. We just need more airflow. Our house just seems to trap the heat. Brilliant in winter. Terrible in summer.

Create airflow with fans? Hard to be more specific without knowing your house layout.

As an example, in our house (two levels) we have a fan on the ceiling at the top of the stairwell, which is open to both levels. This allows us to pull up cool air in summer and push down warm air in winter.

Mike

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#2100752 3-Oct-2018 12:58

ObidiahSlope:

I suggest you investigate an evaporative cooler appliance.

This recommendation comes with some cautions.

These appliances are not widely available.

They pump moisture into the room so ventilation is critical and if you have an existing mold problem it will become worse.

The evaporative media can become stinky so ability to clean easily is an essential requirement.

Aren't these only good in really dry climates. Not sure they'd be the best in NZ... humidity makes air feel warmer because your sweat takes longer to evaporate. Making it more humid seems like it would just make it worse?

Combination of Mikes suggestion for mozzie nets and fans to move air would probably be my suggestion. And maybe long term some strategically placed trees to create some shade depending on layout of house?

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MikeAqua

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#2100766 3-Oct-2018 13:12

sidefx:

Aren't these only good in really dry climates. Not sure they'd be the best in NZ... humidity makes air feel warmer because your sweat takes longer to evaporate. Making it more humid seems like it would just make it worse?

The principle is that evaporation requires energy, which is drawn from the surrounding air.

Blow air across/through a wet surface and it picks up water which cools it.

Works poorly if humidity is already high.

Mike

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#2100817 3-Oct-2018 14:37

I just got a second heat pump for my bedroom last summer. Can't beat an air-conditioned house.

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#2101862 4-Oct-2018 22:59

Welcome Tara.

Looks like you've already got a few suggestions on cooling your house. Once you get that going, you might want to stay & talk about automating your house. Many OpenHab users around here.

Please keep this GZ community vibrant by contributing in a constructive & respectful manner.

Tara12345

11 posts

Geek

#2102293 5-Oct-2018 19:54

Dynamic:

Can you do something with a fan blowing through a wet lightweight teatowel? That might work for one person sitting in front of it, but not a room.

Ahhh... yes.... have been there done that. But thanks.

Tara12345

11 posts

Geek

#2102296 5-Oct-2018 19:55

IcI:

Welcome Tara.

Looks like you've already got a few suggestions on cooling your house. Once you get that going, you might want to stay & talk about automating your house. Many OpenHab users around here.

OpenHab user? That sounds interesting. I'll go google.

jarledb

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#2102354 6-Oct-2018 00:01

Welcome to Geekzone Tara.

+1 for Heat pump. Helps you dry up the house too, and provides cheap heat in the winter.

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