Air Conditioner Alternatives for Keeping the Home Cool and Green in the Summer

Energy savings are good for everyone and saving money is good for the home budget. Using less air-conditioning, especially during the warm summer months, can save household money spent for electrical utilities and conserve energy which helps to keep generating costs down. Some ideas for keeping comfortable without having to use the air-conditioner include bringing cooler outdoor air into the house, using fans to keep inside air circulating, and taking steps to keep humidity levels down.

Using all these methods or a combination of a few can make a significant difference improvement. As the body becomes more acclimated to the warmer ambient temperature, being in an air-conditioned room might feel chilly. Keeping the humidity levels down as much as possible is the key to being comfortable with using the air-conditioning as often. Programmable thermostats that control the air-conditioner can be set to energize central air units less frequently. A little bit of cool air goes a long way in terms of reducing humidity.

Large whole-house fans are a great investment for air circulation in the home. In the late evening hours, cooler air is drawn in and warm air is forced out. Because a typical whole-house fan uses much less electricity than a central air-conditioning unit does, the savings are practically immediate.

Increasing the velocity of the air in the home can make the temperature feel 5 or 10 degrees cooler than still air. This is the basic principle of ceiling fans installed in homes. They use very little electricity and create a comforting effect even though they can make the room air somewhat warmer. When using ceiling fans in the summer, set the blade rotation so that the air blows downward and operate the fan at the medium or high speed setting.

Other things that can be done to help the house stay cooler are running your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans when cooking or bathing to keep indoor humidity levels down. Use an outdoor grill as often as possible to reduce heat and electrical usage when preparing hot meals. Also, make sure that the clothes dryer vent ductwork is not leaking. This alone can greatly increase household humidity levels.

Heat can be effectively blocked from entering windows and glass patio-style doors by using awnings and/or window film. Installing reflective foil under the attic rafters also helps to block out radiant heat from the roof of the home. Make sure that the home has adequate ventilation and that loose insulation does not interfere with soffit vents.

Stay cool, and always work safely.