Should you beat the summer heat with air-conditioners? Or take on other means?
In 1978, there were only 23% of U.S housing units ho had central air-conditioning. In 1997, it had skyrocketed to 47%. In 2007, more than 52% Canadian households were equipped with air-conditioning devices. That’s in Canada alone. How much more could there be if we sum the percentages from the United States and the whole world as well?
To beat the summer heat, most Americans are making the most out of their air-conditioners. In fact, 84% of U.S. homes now are using air-conditioners. From this percentage, U.S. homes usually spend $375 or 17% of its annual energy bills on cooling systems.
Air-conditioning systems can cool you down. But it the same, it also freezes your wallets and pockets until nothing comes out of it anymore. You might as well just take on the following tips from our Eco Consultant to cool yourselves and your homes without actually spending more on air conditioners:
During the night, especially when the air outside is cooler than the inside, close your windows. Then close them together with the blonds and shades before the sun rises in the morning. Through this, you can benefit from the cool night air while averting the sun’s heat to get indoors.
Houseplants are a great addition to your homes. Just put them in front of sunny windows so the sun’s energy can be absorbed. Try putting on larger potted trees.
Get help from ceiling fans in the following ways:
Make sure the ceiling fan is blowing down so it points to the right directions, to your exact direction.
Turn if off when you leave the room.
Energy Star ceiling fans use 50% less energy compared to other models, so you better purchase these instead.
Have stand-alone fans placed directly in front of you. Add a spritz bottle as well.
Improvise a win d tunnel by placing one fan facing the wind while the other fan is placed on the opposite end of the house.
Refresh yourself with cold foods and cold cocktails. Watermelon and Cherry Salad with Fresh Mint Syrup are good suggestions.
Avoid using the oven or the stove when cooking.
Make use of compact fluorescents and LEDS as well the Energy Star-rated light bulbs for your home lighting.
Turn off the lights and other electronic devices that are not being used.
Cool yourself down by taking a cold shower or going for a swim.
Let nature work its wonders of helping you save energy and money planting trees both on the east and west sides of your house.
Install attic insulation this year so you can make the most of green tax credits covering up to 30% of the insulation costs.
If you like awnings, then go ahead and install them.
When you do have air-conditioners, you can still save your money and energy by taking on the following tips:
Adjust the thermostat.
Check air filter monthly and change it every 3 months.
Have a professional conduct an annual check-up.
Energy Star central air system and other products are geared towards saving up on energy, so better purchase Energy Star’s products.
To improve your homes and get rebates for energy efficiency, check out the home Energy Saver website at hes.lbl.gov.
Find air leaks around windows and doors by using a candle and fix these leaks with caulk or weather stripping.
Avoid closing air-conditioning vents as closing may create an imbalance thereby affecting the efficiency of the air conditioner.
When it’s the hottest part of the day, avoid running your appliances.
These tips are really helpful for every U.S. household. It helps you beat the summer heat without actually relying too much on air-conditioners. At the same time, you’ll be saying more energy and money as well. So, you get to help yourself and the world as a whole.
