Untitled Document
Home | Site Map | Contact | Text Size :
 
   
Beyond air conditioning: savvy ways to keep your home cool - Tampabay.com


As summer temperatures — and utility bills — rise, there are some easy ways to keep cool that are cheaper and greener than air conditioning. A little savvy about when to open windows and when to keep them closed with curtains drawn goes a long way toward cooling a home, as does putting thought into what cooling appliances to use and when, the experts say.



Cooling curtains

Pull down the shades or draw the curtains on windows facing south, east and west during the day, according to power company Con Edison. It says 40 percent of unwanted heat comes in through the windows. Even if air conditioning is needed later in the day, drawing the curtains earlier means you can use less of it.



"And it's better to shade the outside of the window than the inside," said Abigail Daken, cooling products manager for Washington, D.C.-based Energy Star, an Environmental Protection Agency program that helps businesses and individuals save money and protect the climate through energy efficiency. "Shutters and awnings are very effective," Daken said.

Get in the flow

When outdoor temperatures fall below 70 degrees, the Natural Resources Defense Council recommends turning off the air conditioner and opening the windows instead.



Open the windows and use the bathroom fan for exhaust, especially if there's no cross breeze, Daken said. "This helps create some flow."

Be a fan of fans

Ceiling fans are a great substitute for air conditioning when it's not overly hot or humid, and they make you feel cooler by moving air across your skin, says Meg Waltner, of the Natural Resources Defense Council.

If you need to buy fans, look for Energy Star ratings and rebate offers, she said.

Also, many ceiling fans feature a light kit, so make sure each socket has an energy-saving LED bulb inside. LED bulbs use five times less energy than the old incandescents and don't give off as much heat, Waltner says.



Plant a tree

Large deciduous trees planted on the east, west and northwest sides of your home create shade from the hot summer sun and can reduce summer air conditioning costs by up to 35 percent, according to the Arbor Day Foundation, a nonprofit Nebraska-based conservation group.



Avoid heat-producing appliances

Con Edison recommends minimizing the use of household appliances when temperatures climb. Summer is a great time to opt for outdoor grilling and foods that don't require cooking. Washers, dryers and dishwashers should be used at night, when temperatures are cooler, the utility says.

When you do use air conditioners . . .

• Be sure they're Energy Star-certified, have programmable thermostats, and are set no lower than 78 degrees when you're around, 80 when you're away for part of the day, and "off" when you're on vacation, Waltner says. Programmable thermostats can cut power use by 20 percent to 30 percent, she says. Many power companies offer free programmable thermostats to clients, and it's worth checking their websites for offers and rebates.

"Raising the temperature by 7 degrees when no one is home, 4 degrees at bedtime, along with proper programming during the winter, can save you more than $180 every year," according to Daken .

• Make sure windows are well-sealed to keep cool air from leaking out.

•Don't cool an empty room: Block vents in unused rooms and turn the system off entirely while you're away.

• Keeping central air conditioner filters clean adds to their efficiency. Air conditioners and cooling systems should be inspected and cleaned annually, and kept clear of leaves and dirt, experts say. "We recommend that filters be checked every three months, or more often for homes with pets," Daken said.

If your AC is more than 12 years old, replacing it with an Energy Star-qualified model could cut your annual cooling costs by 30 percent, Waltner says. Many local utility companies offer rebates for more efficient new models.

Source


รายการข่าวอื่นๆ มีดังต่อไปนี้ :
Empire State Building Strikes Gold.
LG Electronics Unveils Multi V III, Its Most Advanced VRF Technology HVAC System.
Office workers reap healthy spin-offs from efficient building design.
Toshiba Introduces Voice-Controlled AND Energy-Efficient Air Conditioner
International Green Building Conference 2011 to Explore Innovative, Sustainable, and Actionable Green Building Solutions Especially for the Tropics and Sub-Tropics
Green building experts shop for ideas at Singapore’s first eco-mall
3rd floor of building L a model of green design
Global Air Conditioning Systems Market to Reach 144.30 Million Units by 2015, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
2022 World Cup organizers determined to beat the heat.
IN TIME OF DROUGHT, RICE UNIVERSITY SAVING 12 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER A YEAR BY REUSING AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSATION, OTHER INITIATIVES
Taipei 101 is World’s Tallest Green Building
Effective office spaces
Tips from the repair man, how to keep your AC running smooth
Hospitals, Physicians Hustle to Prepare for Hurricane Irene
Local green building rules a better fit. US standard will be harder to achieve
Gardens are growing on green roofs around town
Dublin Building Wins Award For Being Environmentally Friendly
All govt offices to keep air-cond temperature at 24ºC from now
Broken air conditioning has students, teachers sweating
Agency: 440 sought hospital care for heat illness: Wichita, KS USA
มีหัวข้อข่าว 232 รายการ : 12 หน้า
Page << Back | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Next >>
   
 
 

        NEWS & EVENTS
บริการของบริษัท
- ระบบปรับอากาศขนาดใหญ่ ชิลเลอร์ CHILLER
- เครื่องทำลมแห้ง AIR DRYER
- รับออกแบบ ติดตั้ง บำรุงรักษา จัดหาอะไหล่ และซ่อมแซม COOLING TOWER
- งานท่อแอร์ และหุ้มฉนวนท่อ DUCT WORK and PIPING
- สินค้าชนิดพิเศษ Special Products
  more>>
สินค้า
- PE Series (Package)
- PE SERIES (Mr. SLIM)
- SE SERIES (Mr. SLIM)
- PS SERIES (Mr. SLIM)
- SL SERIES (Mr. SLIM)
  more>>
ลูกค้าที่ใช้บริการ


more>>
รูปแกลอรี่
- งานเปลี่ยน ท่อน้ำและวาล์วควบคุมระบบ Package Water Cooled
- งานเปลี่ยน Package Water Cooled ขนาด 25 Tons
- งานเคลือบผิวท่อด้วย Fiber Glass พร้อมทำสี
- งาน Overhual Motor & Pump ขนาด 125 HP
- งาน Overhual Motor & Pump ขนาด 125 HP
  more>>
11 Easy Ways to Be Greener on Earth Day
When is Earth Hour 2017? What is it and how you can get involved in the WWF 'blackout' event
Why changing your home's air filter is important
Could this tent make camping COMFORTABLE? £200 Siesta4 reflects sunlight and uses 'air conditioning' to keep it cool and dark - dailymail.co.uk
Decor choices affect indoor air quality - lfpress.com
  more>>



All Rights Reserved © 2011 Muang Thong Engineering (1998) Company Limited
40/5-6-7 Sukhumvit 71 Prakanongnue, Wattana, Bangkok 10110
Tel: 02 391 8027, 02 390 1242 Fax: 02 391 6100 E-mail: mte1998@gmail.com


cheap air jordans|pompy wtryskowe|cheap huarache shoes| bombas inyeccion|cheap jordans|cheap air max| cheap sneakers|wholesale jordans|cheap china jordans|cheap wholesale jordans|cheap jordans|wholesale jewelry china