Need ideas for keeping my house cool

[Hotchef181818]

I deal with the same problem. I've installed thermal curtains that definately help. I'm in the process of figuring out how to install a solar powered exhaust fan in my attic as well since I have a tile roof that acts as a pizza stone in the summer. Has anyone had one of these installed ?

[Rooskibar03]

Tint window.

Instal thermal curtains, they really do help.

install a small on room window A/C unit. Nothing worse than a hot room to sleep in.

[funkymonkey1111]

if it's just one room, even the smallest little window AC units will work find, especially if there's other cooling going on in the house. if you want real cooling, do that--otherwise you're just wasting your time and $$$

[jslo]

Tint windows, thermal curtains, add insulation and attic exhaust. Or, move thermostat to bedroom but sounds like it will run pretty much nonstop.

[Irving]

Awnings can do a decent job but have the potential to be ugly, especially if they are only on a few windows. Tint is probably the way to go. I'd do the cheap auto tint for now some the windows need replaced anyway.

[Great-Kazoo]

Turn your furnace fan from Auto to ON.

[ray1970]

Turn your furnace fan from Auto to ON.

I've tried this. It doesn't help. The house is one of those funky multi level houses. It has four levels. The thermostat is on the ground level. The lowest level will usually be about 64 degrees and my bedroom will be over 80 degrees.

I've seriously been thinking about an attic fan of some sort.

[sniper7]

Tinted windows is the best idea if you still want to look out of them. Other than that, I would get a harbor freight silver tarp that is reflective and put it on the outside of the windows. It will block the light and reflect the heat and be very cheap.

a small window a/c will definitely cool the room and probably pay for itself in the savings from the big a/c trying to cool that room.

or an awning over the windows depending on the angle the sun comes in. That plus tint would be pretty effective. The blinds would definitely help as well.

[SideShow Bob]

Move your bedroom to the lowest level. Short of a window A/C unit or swamp cooler, the sun beating on the outer wall(s) will raise the inside temperature of that side of the house even with tinted & multi pane windows.
Plant another tree outside that side of the house, and in about 15 - 20 years it will shade the house again.

[Gman]

Sounds like you have a house like my last one. Multi-level with the master BR over the garage on the West side. Got the afternoon sun. I never could solve the problem, so I moved. Current house has master BR on the East side which, from another lesson I learned, was away from the street.