text: Our home does not have air conditioning.   We have had less that a week of 'uncomfortable' days since we moved here 4 years ago.   *We live about 400 feet above the valley floor, shaded for half a day by on old stand of Doug fir.     I understand we are blessed when it come to hot weather challenges.  When my family lived out past Santa Clara, dad had put in a least 2 window air conditioners.  I'm not hating on those who use air conditioners, the heat can kill the vulnerable.
  
  Dad also had exterior awnings on any window with a sunny exposure.  That another good passive way to fight the heat, that most homeowners don't want to do anymore.    Opening the home in the evening and shutting it down before the heat rises also works in this area.