The Answer is Blowing in the Fan

Do you remember your science teacher telling you that hot air rises?

Check the direction of your ceiling fans.

·         In the winter, set fans to turn counterclockwise. The blades will force the warm air downwards.

·         In the summer, set fans to turn clockwise. The fans will not only keep the rooms more comfortable by circulating the air but will draw warm air upwards towards the ceiling.

Create Your Own Micro-Climate

Did you know that trees and vines can create a cool microclimate that reduces the temperature by as much as 9 degrees?

During photosynthesis, large amounts of water vapor escape through the leaves, cooling the passing air. 

·         Vines are a quick way to provide shading and cooling. Grown on trellises, vines can shade the whole side of a house. Set trellises away from your house to allow air to circulate and to keep the vines from attaching to your house's facade and damaging its exterior. Placing vegetation too close to your house can actually trap heat and make the air around your house even warmer.

·         Plant deciduous trees; they provide shade in the summer, then lose their leaves and allow sunlight to warm your house in the winter. The taller varieties of trees will shade your roof as well as your walls.

Maintain Your Air Conditioner and Heater

Did you know that the biggest users of energy in your home are your heating and cooling systems?

You wouldn't drive your car year after year without changing its oil or taking it in for a tune-up. Yet many people run their air conditioners and heaters for years without having them serviced. The results are unnecessarily high energy costs and a reduced lifespan for their heating and cooling systems.

·         Install ceiling fans to boost the efficiency of your air conditioner in the summer and to circulate warm air away from the ceiling in the winter.

More Efficient Air Conditioning

Did you know that one of the most inexpensive and effective ways to reduce your air conditioning costs is to adjust your thermostat setting?

The savings can be significant when you set your thermostat at 78 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. For each degree you raise your thermostat setting, you reduce seasonal cooling costs by 6 to 8 percent.

• Setting the temperature a little higher of around 78-80 degrees Fahrenheit , will  you save 6 to 8 percent of your cooling costs for each degree above 78, and most people will be comfortable.
• Use a ceiling fan or portable fan to supplement your air conditioning. A fan can make you feel three to four degrees cooler (and only costs a half-cent per hour to operate) so you can set your thermostat a few degrees higher and save on cooling costs. Use in occupied rooms since fans cool people, not rooms.
• Turn off the air conditioning or set the thermostat up a few degrees when you leave home.
• Use evaporative coolers for pet areas, or hot areas of the house, instead of turning the thermostat down.  Our air coolers cost less than 10 cents a day to operate.
• Be sure your air conditioner is not blocked.  A free flowing air conditioner operates most efficiently  Be sure the return air grill inside your house is not blocked by furniture or other items. Filters should be checked monthly. 
• When air conditioning is on, keep doors and windows closed.  Turn off kitchen or bathroom exhaust fans when your air conditioning is operating.     
• Caulk and weather-strip leaky windows and doors.     
• Shade your home from direct sunlight.  Use shades, drapes, awnings, trees and shrubs to block the hot sun from heating up your home.
• If you suspect your air conditioning system is not cooling properly, have it checked promptly. A unit that is having operational problems can cause extremely high bills.     
• If your air conditioning equipment is older and less efficient, compensate by being extra careful about temperature settings, hours of operation and filter condition.