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.
