It's about to be cooling season, but don't be so quick to reach for the AC. Air conditioners are a major energy user in most homes, and that means they are contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Luckily, there are many natural ways you can ventilate your home and keep yourself cool this summer - before going to the air conditioner.
For starters, remember the sunlight. Many people like to open up their drapes and gaze at the summer sun. But that actually helps the sunlight get into your home and heat it up, making it more uncomfortable for you. Instead, keep your drapes closed during the day and open them at night to keep your home cool. You can also try to shade your windows by planting deciduous trees, especially in windows that face south. That keeps the windows shaded from the sun in the summer, but once the leaves fall off in the winter the sunlight will get into your home, keeping it warm in the cool winter months.
If you are in the middle of a renovation, make sure you've considered your cooling needs before the contractor goes home. If you're replacing your roof or repainting your home, use light-colored or other "cool" roofing or siding products. That can reduce your peak cooling demand by 10 to 15 percent according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
Smaller steps will also help. Reach for the fan before cranking up the AC. Ceiling fans create a wind-chill effect in a room, and are most effective when the indoor humidity isn't stifling. Fans cool people, not the air itself, so don't leave them running in empty rooms. But when you use fans, you can set the thermostat four degrees higher and still feel the same level of comfort. You can also use window fans to push the warm air out of your home. Set up a fan in a window that faces away from the prevailing wind, so it isn't working against the breeze.
When it's warm out, some of the activities we do actually increase the heat in our house. Cooking is one major way we heat up our homes unintentionally. When it's warm outside, try to use your stove top rather than the oven - or, even better, try using a backyard grill to make dinner. Taking hot showers and running the washing machine will also build up the heat inside your home. Try to use your bathroom fan when you shower and put off laundry until a cooler day, if possible.
If you are going to use the AC, make sure you're not overdoing it. Keep your thermostat at 78 degrees in the summer, and you'll be set to both save energy and help the environment!
Source: BecauseAction.com
