Apartment Heat

[AndrewWiggin]

Alright, so we're about to enter yet another burning hot summer, and my apartment stays cool with the exception of my room, which stays at a constant 9,000 degrees. I don't know why this happens, but I'm really tired of it.

I'm thinking about having a curtain rod installed, because I had some thick curtains in my last apartment that worked very well at keeping my room in a decent temperature range.

Does anyone else have suggestions on how to keep my room cool? All the heat is coming from the windows, because I've got almost constant sunlight.

The problem with installing a curtain rod is that I can't do it myself (walls are concrete and I don't have tools to drill into concrete). So I will end up paying someone to do it.

 

[pyrrhusmj]

Alright, so we're about to enter yet another burning hot summer, and my apartment stays cool with the exception of my room, which stays at a constant 9,000 degrees. I don't know why this happens, but I'm really tired of it.

I'm thinking about having a curtain rod installed, because I had some thick curtains in my last apartment that worked very well at keeping my room in a decent temperature range.

Does anyone else have suggestions on how to keep my room cool? All the heat is coming from the windows, because I've got almost constant sunlight.

The problem with installing a curtain rod is that I can't do it myself (walls are concrete and I don't have tools to drill into concrete). So I will end up paying someone to do it.

Tension rod for your curtains, and make sure the curtains are lined.


Michael

 

[Walter Sobchak]

Maybe you can ask your maintenance man/super to do it for you, or to let you borrow a small hammerdrill. Or, you could rent one from a tool rental place. You don't need a big one. An 18v cordless drill with a 'hammer' function will more than suffice.

 

[Unknownsoldier]

May I suggest a decent de-humidifier, I have one and it gets my room so cold ice forms on the windows I have to say curtains will work and it's not a huge job to fit them, a mate could possibly have the tools, ask around perhaps a few beers might help??? Also don't leave unnecessary appliances on during the day, computers, transformers etc. all pump out heat.... If worst comes to the worst install a saline pump system like they have in abatoirs

Also just thought buy some UV glass film, that'll cut down on heat big time, and real cheap too, and an easy DIY

Tom

 

[Walter Sobchak]

Another option, I guess, might be to put window film on there. That will shade and reflect light. Haven't used the stuff myself, but I hear they can be pretty efficient.

I like the dehumidifier idea, too!

 

[OldSaw]

Alright, so we're about to enter yet another burning hot summer, and my apartment stays cool with the exception of my room, which stays at a constant 9,000 degrees. I don't know why this happens, but I'm really tired of it.

I'm thinking about having a curtain rod installed, because I had some thick curtains in my last apartment that worked very well at keeping my room in a decent temperature range.

Does anyone else have suggestions on how to keep my room cool? All the heat is coming from the windows, because I've got almost constant sunlight.

The problem with installing a curtain rod is that I can't do it myself (walls are concrete and I don't have tools to drill into concrete). So I will end up paying someone to do it.

Is that Fahrenheit, Celsius, Kelvin or Rankine? It makes a huge difference, you know, in how you handle this excess heat.

Seriously though, I would go with the tension rod.

 

[gaseousclay]

if you're in direct sunlight all day you may have no other option than to get an air-conditioner put in.

 

[jjjackso]

In addition to the curtain or window film, might i suggest a fan to move the air around. Moving air just feels cooler, and if you aim it right it could blow some of that cool air from the rest of your apartment into your room and make the temperature more equal.

 

[pb300]

Is your room the last vent on the run?

In my last apartment my room had the first vent right off the blower and stayed very cool with the vent almost completely closed. My brother's room had the last vent which almost no air came out of.

 

[Wilpar76]

Get blackout curtains. They are a little more pricey, but they will create the temperature gradient you are looking for. Sorry if you already said this, but do you have central air? IF so, check to make sure something is not blocking hte air flow into your room. Check to make sure the system is powerful enough to cool the entire apartment.

If you don't have central air, I would agree with gaseousclay. You may not have not have any additional recourse but to install a window unit. If you only use it for that room, it shouldn't jack up your utility bill that much.

 

[faster_than_u]

Get heavy black curtains but make sure they area white on the side that is against the window.

 

[DavyRay]

There are some good suggestions already. Here are a few more.

Outside: If you can get a couple of tension rods (spring-loaded curtain rods, sometimes used for shower curtains) to fit in the recess outside your window, you can use a piece of mesh or solar film to cut down the sunlight that strikes your window glass. It could blow away in a high wind, but is mega effective.

Inside: Tension rods are again a no-tools way of attaching curtains, if there is a recess to put them in. Good curtains usually have a light-colored liner to reflect light back out the window.

 

[AndrewWiggin]

Things I neglected to mention:

1: there are already blinds installed in the windows which I cannot remove

2: window doesn't open, so no chance of putting in a window unit

3: the apartment maintenance people can't do this for me

Anyway, thanks for the suggestions-I have thick curtains but I don't believe they're blackout. Can anyone point me to solar film/UV film that has worked for them?

 

[Unknownsoldier]

Solargard or Courtolds are two good ones according to my dad, his company makes blinds and films glass. These will make a bit of difference...

He does say be carefulk of blinding anyone else, a grey dull film is best according to my father.

Either that or try a cheapish metal blind with a metallised back to reflect heat.


Tom

 

[AndrewWiggin]

Alright so here's the deal now:

Talked to the handyman service, it's $145 to install a damned curtain rod. So, that's probably not going to happen. The problem now is finding the right drill to rent and do it myself. Any suggestions?

 

[slcsteve]

Move!

 

[Unknownsoldier]

Alright so here's the deal now:

Talked to the handyman service, it's $145 to install a damned curtain rod. So, that's probably not going to happen. The problem now is finding the right drill to rent and do it myself. Any suggestions?

I can get a hammer drill for 20 quid, and some rawl plugs for 4.......145!!!!.

Do it yourself mate it's not hard....

Tom

 

[Walter Sobchak]

Alright so here's the deal now:

Talked to the handyman service, it's $145 to install a damned curtain rod. So, that's probably not going to happen. The problem now is finding the right drill to rent and do it myself. Any suggestions?

It's a simple job. Go to a local hardware store and tell them what you want to do. Tell them if the walls are solid concrete or cinderblock, they'll advise you on what anchors/fasteners to use.

A small HAMMERDRILL will do the job with a MASONRY bit. You can probably rent one from a tool rental place for $15-$20 for the day. You'll also need a hammer and a screwdriver.

The entire job will take you less than 30 minutes. It will take you 15 minutes if you've ever used a drill and/or hung a curtain rod. MEASURE TWICE, drill once.

You can do this. If you can fry an egg, you can do this. Don't be intimidated by it and don't pay someone more than $50 to do the job, it's too easy.

 

[BrianL]

Home Depot rents tools try calling the one nearest you, they also will show you how to use the tool before you leave, if you ask.
Make sure air is coming through your air vent when the a/c is on, you can tie a string to the vent for a visual. No movement means your register is closed or your vent is resticted or not even hooked up, it has been known to happen.

 

[pyrrhusmj]

Before you go drilling, make sure the apartment will allow it. Drilling into masonry is much more intrusive than drilling into sheetrock. Check on them allowing you to put up film on the backside of the blinds or window itself. Many if not most apartments around here don't like that. They want the backsides to be uniform, especially if you live in some of the loft style apartments (which having masonry walls sounds like it)

Do the blinds take up the full depth of the window. For instance if the window is 3 inches deep, do the blinds only take up 1 inch of it? If so, there will be plenty of room for a tension rod and curtains hanging off of it. I understand your plight. I had an apartment where my room got the brunt of the sun all day, it was hot as heck in there. I finally got a box fan and would run it down the hall to help bring in cool air from the rest of the place.

Michael