[QUOTE=Jane Quilter;7612831] So I got out the window quilts. In the winter, they keep out the cold....and in this heat, it keeps out the sun and the heat. [Quote]
Something on the windows is a huge help. I have solar curtains. They are a panel of what looks like aluminum foil, but is plastic. A little light comes through them and you can see through them just a little. But what a difference they make on the east side of the house in the morning! I have them on some door windows that face the sun, too.
My basement is a creepy crawly one, too. But we have geothermal heat. It costs quite a bit to install, but then is much much cheaper to run. And A.C. comes with it automatically. We keep it at 70º for heat and 76º for cooling and are very comfortable.
This house is very well insulated and we have trees on the south east and south west corners, so that helps a lot, too.