@joeyh wow how do you manage that? by the end of the day my house is 86-88F. we get decent shade from some large trees but things still heat up eventually.

@dthompson concrete slab 8 feet below grade on 2 sides, correct roof overhang (& grape arbors) on south side to block summer sun.

@joeyh I've been wanting to experiment with deciduous vines like what you are doing with the grapes. my house has kind of a funny shape and I think it's the western side that takes a beating and contributes the most to the temperature rise.

@dthompson roof awnings also work and are quicker to install. Common down South.

@dthompson also baseline temp is 55F in winter (down to 0F or so); never freezes inside

@joeyh do you not have a basement? my house is 2 story with a field stone foundation. the unfinished basement feels quite pleasant right now!

@dthompson basically is a basement, albeit with a whole wall of glass..

@joeyh what are you using to monitor your house temperature?

@dthompson 1-wire temp sensors via gpio & linux

@joeyh thanks. I'd like to try something similar.

@dthompson perhaps finishing the basement and having a warm-weather bed there is the non-AC way to go

Or a sleeping porch if you have a screenable porch and good nightime temps.

@joeyh its only these more extreme summer temps that get to me. as I write this my bedroom is reaching a comfortable sleeping temperature. the house stays pretty comfortable when highs are below 90. my basement is not very finishable (house built in 1800) and I don't want to sacrifice the workshop space and easy access to plumbing/wires.

@arunisaac ceiling fans and box fans help, though my bedroom does not have a ceiling fan.

@arunisaac most of the rooms in my house have fans, but the master bedroom is one that doesn't. thanks for the link.

@arunisaac this article is really good btw.

@dthompson
"and generally sleep"