When summers get as hot as this one, it’s difficult to imagine what people did before air conditioning. Here is some information on figuring out how to most efficiently cool a home.
If you’ve gotten your latest electric bill, you may already suspect that Americans spend more than $22 billion a year on electricity to cool their homes with air conditioning.
A floor fan uses only 100 watts on the highest speed, and ceiling fans use only 15 – 95 watts depending on speed and size. A window unit AC uses 500 – 1440 watts. With just a little bit of planning you could start to bring those power bills back down to size.
A ceiling fan cools you by triggering evaporation from your skin. Using a ceiling fan will make you feel anywhere from 3 – 8 degrees cooler.
Here are a few other tips:
- Make sure your doors and windows are well sealed.
You’ll pay a lot more to cool your home when the cold air escapes easily. Replacing old windows and adding insulation helps tremendously.
- Keep direct sunlight out
Direct sunlight can raise room temperature by 10 – 20 degrees. Drapes block sunlight and heat better than blinds.
- Use solar screening
It reflects much more sunlight than regular screening and can block 60 – 70% of heat from sunlight.
- Use reflecting film on your windows
Reflective film bounces the sun’s heat from your windows and can block 40 – 60% of heat.
- Use less light
Replace your lights with compact fluorescent bulbs which use 75% less energy and create 70 – 90% less heat at the same time.
- Delay your chores
Your dishwasher, washer, and dryer give off heat when they’re in use, so run them in the early morning or late evening.
Cool Your Home For Less
August 3, 2010