The Unknown House has a more efficient air conditioning system than our old one, and better insulation. But I still dread seeing what our electric bill will be this month. Along those lines, MSN Money has a nice piece titled "25 Cheap Ways To Keep Your House Cooler". Here are some of the more easily implemented ones:
- Open windows and use portable or ceiling fans instead of operating your air conditioner. Even mild air movement of 1 mph can make you feel three or four degrees cooler.
- Use a fan with your window air conditioner to spread the cool air through your home.
- Without blocking air flow, shade your outside compressor.
- Change air filters monthly during the summer.
- Don't place lamps or TVs near your air conditioning thermostat. The heat from these appliances will cause the air conditioner to run longer.
- Close curtains on south- and west-facing windows during the day.
- Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents -- they produce the same light but use a fifth the energy and heat
- Air-dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying cycle.
- Make sure the caulking/weatherstripping around your windows is in good shape
- Add insulation around air conditioning ducts when they are located in unconditioned spaces such as attics, crawl spaces, and garages; do the same for whole-house fans where they open to the exterior or to the attic.
The article has many, many more good hints. Read the whole thing here.
HT: Consumerism Commentary