Can YOU make it in Arizona WITHOUT air conditioning from May-September? (Phoenix: home, construction)

[infocyde]

The old timers would spray water on their sheets (cotton is best I think) to keep a little cooler when they went to sleep. I don't think it was as hot back pre-1950 as another poster said as it is now. The concrete jungle of Phoenix creates a heat bubble that raises the temperature and also keeps out a lot of the cooling monsoons that would normally flow through.

I've noticed even in Prescott (a higher elevation city but not as high up as say Flagstaff) the temperatures the last few summers seem to be getting hotter. I don't know if it is just a cycle or a trend, but we had to break down and purchase some window AC units to at least keep the temperature in the house below 90. The first few years I lived up here we got by just opening the windows up and night and letting the cool air in. Then buttoning up the house in the morning. That hasn't worked the last few summers.

Agree with other posters about the affects on appliances. My wife is a gamer and her laptop is affected by high temps in the house. She usually goes into one of the rooms with a window AC unit to game when her laptop starts overheating and it seems to help.

[Hschlick84]

With the type of landscaping in residential neighborhoods and infrastructure that's in Arizona (rocks, gravel, dark pavement), it's no wonder it feels hotter than it really ought to. Plant more grass, trees and use less rocks and gravel for landscaping and I can assure you that won't be as hot.

[BIG CATS]

Originally Posted by Hschlick84

With the type of landscaping in residential neighborhoods and infrastructure that's in Arizona (rocks, gravel, dark pavement), it's no wonder it feels hotter than it really ought to. Plant more grass, trees and use less rocks and gravel for landscaping and I can assure you that won't be as hot.

If we all planted grass, we'd not only waste tons more water, but we would increase allergens, invite more bugs, and raise humidity. No thanks. If you want lush yards all over, move East of the Mississippi.

[Hschlick84]

I hate humidity, that's out of the question. Not everybody has to plant grass, but allow for more variety of different yard styles, not the same thing you see block after block.

[locolife]

Originally Posted by Hschlick84

With the type of landscaping in residential neighborhoods and infrastructure that's in Arizona (rocks, gravel, dark pavement), it's no wonder it feels hotter than it really ought to. Plant more grass, trees and use less rocks and gravel for landscaping and I can assure you that won't be as hot.

Arizona cooled off just fine naturally and it still does in natural areas, which are made up of rocks and desert landscaping. Pavement and massive amounts of block, concrete and other urban construction material have created the UHI.

Instead of grass, growing the tree canopy makes a lot more sense.

Our efforts on reducing the UHI affect should be focused on cool roofs and cool pavement.

https://www.epa.gov/heat-islands/heat-island-compendium

[grad_student200]

Originally Posted by TAZORAC

Arizona during the summer is the hottest state in America, with temperatures in some cities being over 100 degrees every day for consecutive weeks. For those of you who live in Arizona, is it possible for YOU personally to survive in your house WITHOUT Air Conditioner?

Yes, it is scientifically possible. I worked one summer at the Department of Energy as an intern. They had world-class scientists investigating renewable energy design. One branch of scientists and engineers worked with passive solar homes. The design enhances insulation, convection, cooling, heat reflection, etc. to cool the home. There are many variations, but the technology does it exist. It won't be "ideal" but can be made to survive a Phoenix summer.

Here is one example:
This house in the desert keeps itself cool and generates its own power

There are many online resources...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YylmeMilok8

[agorski]

I live in the hills above Prescott at 5500 ft without AC. My home has a whole-house fan, a radiant barrier in the attic, sun shades above south-facing windows, and ceiling fans. The only time it's somewhat uncomfortable is the 2-3 weeks before the monsoon starts in late June when the upstairs gets into the low 80s indoors. I enjoy the <$60/month electric bill year round. The main reason I built this house this way was to have radiant floor heating which I love dearly compared to the forced-air systems I always had before. My highest monthly gas bill for heat is around $80.

[Prickly Pear]

In Flagstaff, yes. In fact may even turn on the heater on the summer nights, Flag does get surprisingly cold at night in August.

[Prickly Pear]

Originally Posted by locolife

Arizona cooled off just fine naturally and it still does in natural areas, which are made up of rocks and desert landscaping. Pavement and massive amounts of block, concrete and other urban construction material have created the UHI.

Instead of grass, growing the tree canopy makes a lot more sense.

Our efforts on reducing the UHI affect should be focused on cool roofs and cool pavement.

https://www.epa.gov/heat-islands/heat-island-compendium

Grass isn't native in the majority of Arizona anyway. Grass takes up a lot of water and for minimal impact on the UHI. Want to reduce the UHI? Stop building in Buckeye and Gilbert. There you go. Build more condos in Downtown and Tempe.

Can't complain about the UHI while you also vote for the 303 and 202 expansion at the same time. You're allowing it to get even worse.

Can't complain about the UHI if you vote against public transportation.

Can't complain if you buy a home in the exurbs.

[teddyearp]

Originally Posted by cjseliga

You should maybe rephrase your question to add the lower elevations of Arizona. I can easily survive in Arizona without air conditioning, if I lived above 7,000 feet. I know this might come to a shock to many people who have never been to Arizona, but the entire state is not desert!

SHHHH!!!!