Cheap chills - Home & Gardening

Cheap chills

Wednesday, Jun 25, 2008 - 03:01 PM Updated: 07:35 PM

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Cooling Tips

Air-conditioner tips

Be sure window air conditioners are sized correctly. Units that are too small will run constantly, but not cool the room. Oversized units will use more energy than necessary.
Use a heavy-duty appliance timer to regulate window air-conditioner units.
Have air conditioners serviced annually. Have thermostats checked, air handlers cleaned and coolant added, if necessary.
Inspect hoses for leaks.
Keep the exterior unit free of debris. Keep plants, shrubs and other landscaping about two to four feet away from the unit to ensure adequate air flow.

Other cooling tips

Every degree you go below 78 increases your energy consumption by about 8 percent. When you turn your air on, don't set it to a super-cold temperature, hoping to cool off fast. Just as your oven won't heat faster, your home won't cool faster. Instead, you'll over-cool and waste energy.
Close drapes and blinds during peak sun time on your house. Sun pouring through windows and doors on a hot day will dramatically increase the temperature and cause the air conditioner to run harder and longer.
On cool, low-humidity nights, consider cracking a window to create a cross-breeze. Scratch this strategy if you have allergy sufferers in the house.
Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances to save energy and reduce heat.
Clear attic vents and open all foundation vents. Be sure attic fans are functioning properly.
Minimize oven usage in the summer. Cook in a toaster oven, microwave or on an outdoor grill.
Use the clothes dryer and dishwasher when it's cooler, in early morning or at night, to avoid adding heat and humidity to the house.
Don't place lamps, TVs or other heat-producing appliances near your thermostat.

Sources: Angie's List, Consumer Reports, Dominion Virginia Power

By JULIE YOUNG

TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

SLIDESHOW

Before you break out in a cold sweat over summer cooling costs, take a trip to your local hardware store.

You'll find that it's possible to keep up the chills without driving up your bills. A lot of small, inexpensive changes add up to a cooler home and energy savings.

"It's the same as winterizing your home, but most people don't think about summerizing," said Eric Tucker, sales specialist at Lowe's on West Broad Street.

Tucker took us on a tour of Lowe's on a recent unseasonably warm day to point out numerous products that will keep homeowners from "losing their cool" this summer.

Ceiling fans. Use them in conjunction with air conditioners "to get that cooler air to move around," Tucker said. Creating a downward air flow helps lower room temperature.

Measure rooms before buying a fan, then check fan boxes to see which one is the correct size for your space. Ceiling fans, available with or without lights, range from $30 to about $350 at most big-box stores.

Tucker said fans aren't given the coveted Energy Star rating unless their light kits are equipped with compact fluorescent bulbs.

Be sure your ceiling fans circulate in the right direction. The blades should rotate clockwise in winter and counterclockwise in summer.

Filters. Change your home air filters every 90 days. Changing filters is the least expensive thing you can do to maintain your cooling system. Disposable filters cost only a few dollars. Washable reusable versions run from about $6 to $20.

Compact fluorescent bulbs. Not only do they save energy, but they generate about a fifth as much heat as incandescent light bulbs. Bulb sizes range from 25-watt to 100-watt; three-way bulbs also are available.

The CFLs cost more up front -- a three-pack of 60-watt replacement bulbs is about $8 -- but the bulbs last up to nine years. The three-pack says they will save consumers $141, including energy savings and the cost of replacing ordinary bulbs.

Tucker explained that a 60-watt CFL actually uses only 13 watts of power to give off 60-watt brightness.

Programmable thermostats. A thermostat that lets you set your home temperature based on your schedule can save between 10 and 15 percent annually in energy costs, Tucker said.

Seven-day programmable units "are good if you have an odd schedule. You can set the temperature, the time it comes on, the time it goes off, the day of the week. And some of them have a 'home today' button" that will cancel your program and keep the temperature constant if your schedule changes.

Prices range from $20 to about $100, with the higher-end models having touch-screen controls.

Window film. Heat-control insulating film comes in a roll that can be cut to fit windows and doors. In addition to increased comfort and lower utility bills, insulating films reduce fade damage to furnishings, floors and window treatments by blocking out up to 99 percent of UV rays. Price is about $30 for a 3-by-15-foot roll.

Sun shades. Choose white window shades to reflect rather than absorb light, Tucker said. Keep shades down on the east side of your home in the morning and the west side in the evening. Prices vary depending on quality and size.

Weatherstripping. Closing gaps around doors, windows and outlets can save up to 15 percent in cooling costs and can reduce the demand on a cooling system. Most weatherstripping rolls, door sweeps and other sealing products cost less than $15.

Shade trees. Choose shade trees carefully, Tucker advised. Maples, for example, "are very aggressive" about seeking sources of water. If planted too close to your house and hardscaping, they'll send out roots that will crack foundations, sidewalks and driveways.

Tucker said crabapple and flowering Cleveland pear trees offer good shade but won't grow higher than your house. Prices vary depending on the variety and size of the tree.

Tucker suggested planting shade trees on the south and west sides of a home and near the outside air-conditioning unit. "This allows your air conditioner to perform more efficiently and conserve electricity," he said. Contact Julie Young at (804) 649-6732 or jyoung@timesdispatch.com.

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