Phil Coleman, an energy conservation analyst and notorious cooling miser has revealed his personal list of FIVE ’cheap and easy’ actions for summer energy savings.
1. Close the window shades or curtains on whichever side of the house the sun is shining.
2. Open windows when it is cooler outside than inside, but close up when it is hotter outside than inside.
Mythbuster: Keeping the windows open to create a breeze when it’s hot outside does NOT cool the house.
Mythbuster: Keeping the windows open to create a breeze when it’s hot outside does NOT cool the house.
3. Use fans strategically. Most fans (ceiling and standing fans) make us feel cool by blowing air across our skin. So only use these fans when the room is occupied. Otherwise fans are only creating heat.
Mythbuster: Room fans do not make the air temperature lower. Ventilation fans (attic or whole house fans) DO cool the house, but only when it is cooler outside than inside.
Mythbuster: Room fans do not make the air temperature lower. Ventilation fans (attic or whole house fans) DO cool the house, but only when it is cooler outside than inside.
4. Turn things off! Minimize interior heat gain by limiting your use of lighting, electronics and appliances. Hang dry clothes. Unplug the beer fridge. Turn off power strips for electronics.
Mythbuster: It does NOT use more electricity to turn electronics off and on again.
Mythbuster: It does NOT use more electricity to turn electronics off and on again.
5. Use less air conditioning by turning it off (or setting it at 82 degrees or higher) when you aren't at home. Set the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher when you are at home. Just reducing the humidity will make you feel cooler.
Mythbuster: It does NOT use more electricity to turn the A/C off and on again.
Mythbuster: It does NOT use more electricity to turn the A/C off and on again.
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