This Season's Topics:
cooling Tips for Summer
reducing Your central air conditioner's energy use
natural ventilation
landscaping
Water Conservation
Cooling tips for summer
Summers can be uncomfortable and costly if customers aren't aware of some useful techniques to keep cool when temperatures rise. Try a few of the following cooling tips in the summer:
- Set the thermostat between 78 and 80 degrees for a comfortable and energy efficient setting. Customers use approximately 5 -8 percent less energy for each degree the thermostat is set above 75 degrees. Once you decide on a setting, leave it there. Thermostat juggling costs you extra dollars in operating costs. Our motto is "set it and forget it"!
- Clean air conditioning unit filters once per month. This helps the air conditioner run more efficiently and at less cost.
- If you are away for part of the day, let the air conditioner run. It costs more to remove the humidity collected during the day than the savings from turning off the unit. However, if you are away for an extended of time, it does pay to turn off the air conditioner.
- Even if you have an air conditioner, a fan will circulate the air and keep you cooler.
- Use major heat-producing appliances, such as washers and dryers, during the cooler hours of the day to reduce the load on cooling equipment.
- Attics and crawl spaces should be well ventilated. Use exhaust fans in the kitchen and laundry area to push heat and humidity outside the home.
- Except when they are in use, turn off lamps, televisions and other appliances that generate heat. Keeping lamps and televisions away from the thermostat is also good practice because their heat causes a higher reading than the average room temperature.
- When possible, cook in your toaster oven, microwave or broiler oven. They use half the energy of a regular oven and help to keep the kitchen cooler.
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rEDUCING YOUR cENTRAL aIR cONDITIONER'S eNERGY uSE
The following tips can help you reduce the amount of energy used by your central air conditioner. In addition to helping the environment, using less energy saves you money.
- Set your thermostat at 78°F or higher. Each degree setting below 78°F will increase your energy consumption by approximately 5-8%.
- Use bath and kitchen fans sparingly when the air conditioner is operating.
- Inspect and clean both the indoor and outdoor coils. The indoor coil in your air conditioner acts as a magnet for dust because it is constantly wetted during the cooling season. Dirt build-up on the indoor coil is the single most common cause of poor efficiency. The outdoor coil must also be checked periodically for dirt.
- Check the refrigerant charge. The circulating fluid in your air conditioner is a special refrigerant gas that is put in when the system is installed. If overcharged or undercharged with refrigerant, it will not work properly. You may need a service contractor to check the fluid and adjust it appropriately.
- Reduce the cooling load by using cost-effective conservation measures. For example, effectively shade east and west windows. When possible, delay heat-generating activities, such as dish washing, until the evening on hot days.
- Over most of the cooling season, keep the house closed tight during the day. Don't let in unwanted heat and humidity. If practical, ventilate at night either naturally or with fans.
- Try not to use a dehumidifier at the same time your air conditioner is operating. The dehumidifier will increase the cooling load and force the A/C to work harder.
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NATURAL VENTILATION
Natural ventilation relies on the wind and the "chimney effect" to keep a building cool. The wind will naturally ventilate your home or business by entering or leaving windows, depending on their orientation to the wind. When wind blows against your home, air is forced into your windows. Heat accumulates in your building during the day, and the cool night air can flush it out. You can use this strategy as long as indoor humidity is not uncomfortably high.
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LANDSCAPING
Are you looking for cost-effective yet eye-pleasing ways to lower your energy bills? Planting trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, and hedges could be the answer. In fact, landscaping may be your best long-term investment for reducing heating and cooling costs, while also bringing other improvements to your community.
A well-designed landscape will:
- Cut your summer and winter energy costs dramatically.
- Protect your home from winter wind and summer sun.
- Reduce consumption of water, pesticides, and fuel for landscaping and lawn maintenance.
- Help control noise and air pollution.
Landscaping is a natural and beautiful way to shade your home and block the sun. A well-placed tree, bush, or vine can deliver effective shade and add to the aesthetic value of your property. When designing your landscaping, use plants native to your area that can survive with minimal care.
Landscaping for Energy Efficiency
A Fact sheet that will give you some landscaping tips to help you save energy and money year-round includes climate and site considerations, design and planning, and tree and shrub selection. Excellent methods to block heat are insulation and shading. Insulation helps keep your home comfortable and saves money on mechanical cooling systems. Shading devices block the suns rays and absorb or reflect the solar heat. http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumerinfo/factsheets/landscape.html
Shading
Shading your home or business can reduce indoor temperatures by as much as 20°F. Trees and other vegetation, exterior awnings, and exterior or interior shades can provide effective shading. Large trees that efficiently use little water and recommended for Johnson County include Bur Oak, Honey Locust, Red Oak, and Hackberry. Recommended smaller varieties are the Red Bud and Crabapple.
For more information visit the Johnson County Extension site at: http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/johnson/welcome.htm
WATER CONSERVATION
- Closely monitor automatic lawn sprinkler system to not duplicate rain showers.
- Don't let water run while brushing teeth or shaving.
- Fool your old style toilet to use less water by putting in a brick or half liter bottle.
- Install a new low flow toilet. Toilets account for 30% of household use.
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