Tips for Keeping Cool Without Air Conditioning

According to the ACEEE, air conditioning accounts for almost 200 million tons of carbon emission annually. The best way to immediately save money and energy wasted on your cooling equipment is to reduce the need for air conditioning in your home.

Here are a few ways you can cool off your home this summer without air conditioning:

1. Keep sun from beaming through the windows - Whether you have to keep shades down during the day or put house plans in front of extra sunny windows, you want to avoid trapping the sun's heat in your home like a greenhouse.

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2. Keep windows closed during the day and open at night - On hot summer days, it is unlikely opening your windows will add any cool air to your home. Instead, keep them shut during the day and only open them at night if there is a cool evening breeze. However, be sure to close everything back up before the sun hits your home each morning.

3. Insulate - Improving insulation, specifically in the attic, prevents heat from entering your home. If you do need to have your air on from time to time, this will help trap and retain cool air in your home well after shutting it off.

4. Get rid of bad lighting - Incandescent light bulbs and other forms of modern lighting produce as much heat as they do light.  By keeping the lights off or replacing them with more efficient fixtures, you can save your home from a lot of unnecessary heat.

5. Use fans to create ventilation - Use ceiling fans and stand-alone fans to create a in-house breeze. However, fans don't actually lower the temperature of the room, they just create a more comfortable environment, so make sure you shut them off when you leave the room.

6. Keep your body cool - If you avoid allowing your body to heat up, then you won't need as much cooling down. Avoid using the stove during hot summer months and consume cold meals instead. Salad over soup and icy beverages over hot tea are simple choices that will keep your body temperature down. A nice swim in the pool or a cool shower never hurts either!

7. Plant a tree - planting a tree on the side of your house that gets the most sun will help to block heat from getting into your home. Obviously, this is not an option for everyone given the nature of your property, but is an efficient and natural option for those who can.

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How To Maintain Your Air Conditioner

With the warmer weather right around the corner, taking the time to run through some air conditioner maintenance steps is probably a good idea! Regular maintenance keeps your air conditioner running efficiently and saves you money by extending your units life.

Before you get yours running this summer, energy.gov suggests you follow these steps below:

Replace or clean your filters
"Clogged, dirty filters block normal airflow and reduce a system's efficiency significantly. With normal airflow obstructed, air that bypasses the filter may carry dirt directly into the evaporator coil and impair the coil's heat-absorbing capacity. Replacing a dirty, clogged filter with a clean one can lower your air conditioner's energy consumption by 5% to 15%."

Clean your coil
"A dirty coil reduces airflow and insulates the coil, reducing its ability to absorb heat. To avoid this problem, check your evaporator coil every year and clean it as necessary."

Fix coil fins
"The aluminum fins on evaporator and condenser coils are easily bent and can block airflow through the coil. Air conditioning wholesalers sell a tool called a "fin comb" that will comb these fins back into nearly original condition."

Condensate drains
"Occasionally pass a stiff wire through the unit's drain channels. Clogged drain channels prevent a unit from reducing humidity, and the resulting excess moisture may discolor walls or carpet."

Inspect the seal
"At the start of each cooling season, inspect the seal between the air conditioner and the window frame to ensure it makes contact with the unit's metal case. Moisture can damage this seal, allowing cool air to escape from your house."

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