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How to go green with your air conditioning

Updated on September 10, 2015

Does your energy bill make you feel exhausted? Try some fresh strategies to go green with your air conditioning.

Source

Look for the Energy Star logo

Whether you’re looking to cool a single room or purchasing a central air system, your air conditioning system should use the least amount of energy to accomplish this task. How do you know if it will do this? Look for the Energy Star logo, a blue logo with the word energy written in white and enhanced by a star. These products earn this designation by guidelines designated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). By using products that have earned the Energy Star designation, not only will you be protecting the environment, but you’ll be protecting your wallet from high utility costs!

Watch for windows

Ensure that all windows are closed while the air conditioning system is on to keep the cool air in and the hot air out. Be mindful of doors being opened and closed. If you feel a draft of air coming from windows after you’ve closed them that may signal a problem. Call a pro if you suspect a problem with your air conditioning system.

Be careful of the kitchen

Give some thought to the simple ways that you can keep the room, or entire area, cool without air conditioning. In the summer months, is it more enjoyable to crank up the oven to cook from scratch or to use your outdoor grill to prepare some favorite seasonal foods? While you may enjoy the kind of baking done at the oven, consider how it can indirectly drive up your energy costs.

Stay hydrated

The need for air conditioning arises when our body temperature can’t make peace with the temperature we feel from the environment. Staying hydrated with plain water from a reusable bottle – rather than liquids that dehydrate like coffee or alcohol – can help the body better adapt to the rising temperatures. What’s the connection? The hotter you feel, the more desperate you’ll be to turn the air on when a fan or open windows might be sufficient. This difference can really be felt specifically during the early hours of the morning when the sun has only been out a few hours or on a breezy day.

Talk to a professional

If you’ve invested in something high-tech to cool your home such as a geothermal heat pump or solar-powered air conditioning, you know how important routine maintenance is. If you’re considering these or even a traditional AC system, contact a pro.

How do you keep cool in the summer?

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© 2013 erinshelby

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