Ventilation is the least costly and most energy-efficient way of cooling buildings.
Ventilation systems work best when combined with other methods to avoid the buildup of heat in your indoor space.
In some instances, natural ventilation will suffice for cooling, even though it usually requires being supplemented with ceiling fans, spot ventilation, and window fans. For larger homes, homeowners may want to consider whole-house fans. Inexpensive and easy to operate, fans not only make your indoor space feel 4 to 6 degrees cooler, but they can also help your HVAC system dehumidify air throughout your home, making it cooler. Interior ventilation may be ineffective in hot, humid environments where temperatures swing between day and night are minimal. In such climates, natural ventilation of your attic, as required by building codes, helps to minimize your usage of air conditioning systems, and attic fans can also prove beneficial. However, the other option would be to seal your attic and make it part of the conditioned area. You can do this by insulating the inside part of your roof instead of the attic. Sealed attics are usually more feasible in new home buildings, with a possibility of retrofitting in existing homes. Natural ventilation, such as opening doors and windows, can keep your indoor space cool when properly done. This means opening the windows and doors in the evening and morning when temperature levels are coolest and closing them before the heat of the day. Whole-house ventilators minimize the need for air conditioning by exchanging warm indoor air with cooler outside air, making your indoor space feel instantly cooler.