- Replace the bulbs with the curly ones (I hate them, but would nearly eliminate the heat).
- Add a good film to your window: the most reflective you can find.
- Mess with the registers and see if you can blow more cold air into the room (lower the flow to others).
- Get a small A/C unit if above doesn’t fix/help.
You should be able to go to Home Depot and buy insulation and a machine to blow it in. You do not need to get up there in order to insulate. I have a similar problem. I have a small fan on the floor in front of the vent and turn it on when I am in there to pull more air from the duct/vent
I’d put an air conditioner in the single, east-facing window.
The easiest solution, and less costly, would be to install low-E windows.
You don’t have easy, quick access to your attic? That’s bad; very bad.
You need access to your attic—if for no other reason than to inspect the inside of the roof for leaks. And, I’m not talking about removing a vent. You need a PERMANENT way to easily get up there. Either an attic staircase or a hole (I recommend spending the extra money and putting in a pull-down staircase).
You need to add insulation to your attic floor. This will pay for itself over time as it will (1) reduce your air conditioning bills, and (2) more importantly reduce your heating bills.
The answer is obvious: sue your neighbor for removing the tree and baking your office. :)
Some free advice (so you know what its worth)and questions to ponder:
- When the room was built, was AC directed to the room...or do you just rely on airflow throught the door to cool it?
- I’d replace the cans, with a traditional fixture, if there is room.
What about the garage below - is the ceiling of the garage insulated? That could be a problem too.
- I’ve seen ‘reflectors’ in windows....but they don’t look so great. Depending on the size, you may be able to buy a roll of auto tint at Wal Mart, and tint it. The tint, along with curtains or blinds should help alot.
- Is the room tall enough to put a drop ceiling in - that would help.
The prior post had some good suggestions. If your local codes permit it, consider one or more of those rotary extractor things mounted on your roof, as close to the peak as you can. They will spin like you can’t even believe and they move an astonishing amount of air. Be sure to check your codes! Don’t assume you can just throw those up there. They are prohibited where I live!
Insulation will help you, but if you have blazing sunlight on the side of your bldg, you are going to have to dump that heat, either actively or passively.
For the windows I suggest covering with film for the panes by Gila.
It is available at Home Depot or at gilafilms.com.
My husband’s office has a gigantic floor-to-ceiling window that faces due west in Texas. We saw a huge temperature difference.
You will need to install at night, since you can’t apply the stuff in the heat (the edges will curl.)
You might want to consider removing the recessed lights, blowing in max insulation, and installing track lighting.
I would keep procrastinating for 2 more months. The problem will go away by then.
I am confused by the description of your attic.
However, closed cell spray foam will be your best insulator in a small enclosed space. Spray foam has the highest R value/inch. It also does not require a vapor barrior. It can also be injected through a small hole. Unless your doing a very small area, most insulation can be installed by a professional company for about the same as you can buy it at the homecenter.
Therefore, call the two biggest insulation contractors in your area and have them give you an estimate.
I recommend a powered attic ventilation system.
Most are designed to kick on automatically when
the temperature exceeds a certain point.
Sometimes whirlybirds just don’t cut it.
Are the recessed light edges even with the ceiling? If so go to home depot and get a sheet of Blue/Pink foam insulation board-4’X8’, cut squares/rounds to cover the recessed light holes, paint to match and use Liquid Nails to attach it over each light opening. If the lights have a decorative ring around them glue two pieces of the foam board/cut to size and hollow out one side so the piece fits over the hole flush with the ceilling and glue them over the lights.
I would pay someone to come in and move the large duct so you can blow celulose insulation into the attic. Cellulose insulation costs about $2.00 per cubic foot-installed.
There are sun blocking/insulated shades available but the cheapest thing to do is to get a large car windshield sun shield which is foam coated with reflective aluminum, cut it to fit the window space and attach it to the window with aluminum tape (easily removable-leaves no residue when removed-high sticking power) available by the role at Walmart.
Several options:
1) Install a pv powered attic exhaust fan.
2) Insulate between your attic and the room
3) Insulate with spray foam the side walls
4) Plant your own tree
5) Solar film on the windows
6) Move your office
7) Upgrade your airconditioning
Some effective things you can do:
1) Best: Install a vent fan to pull the intense heat out of the attic. Inexpensive powered vent fans that use small photovoltaic panels eliminate the expense of wiring. Exhausting heat directly should greatly reduce the attic temp, and is enormously more efficient that mechanical heat transfer (A/C).
2) Sneak in some sort of cover above the recessed lights. Do not jam insulation around the cans unless they are rated for it.
3) Have an insulation company put blown-in insulation into the attic space.
4) The window film and CFL bulbs are good ideas.
5) Install some sort of shade device (like a fabric awning) on the sunny side of the building.
If your window is east-facing, you shouldn’t get direct sunlight past 9am during the summer. That window is not your problem. You need to vent your attic better by increasing the number of roof jacks. Talk to a licensed roofing company and have them install more roof vents to allow the hot air to escape. Also, install blown-in cellulose debris insulation on the attic floor (min4-6 inches).
Some effective things you can do:
1) Best: Install a vent fan to pull the intense heat out of the attic. Inexpensive powered vent fans that use small photovoltaic panels eliminate the expense of wiring. Exhausting heat directly should greatly reduce the attic temp, and is enormously more efficient that mechanical heat transfer (A/C).
2) Sneak in some sort of cover above the recessed lights. Do not jam insulation around the cans unless they are rated for it.
3) Have an insulation company put blown-in insulation into the attic space.
4) The window film and CFL bulbs are good ideas.
5) Install some sort of shade device (like a fabric awning) on the sunny side of the building.
You can now buy lights that will fit those cans that are curled inside of a larger bulb. Look better. Less heat. Also, if you insulate attic, be sure and keep insulation 4 inches or so away from can lights!