Keep Cool Without Breaking the Bank

By Chris Petry

Well, it’s summer and it’s hot. Really, really hot. I hope you sun-worshipers are happy because the rest of us certainly aren’t. Yesterday, when I climbed into my car after work, I was moving my hands back and forth from the steering wheel to the gear shifter like a cat swatting a toy mouse. Black leather interiors do not serve one’s hands well when the car’s interior thermostat is reading 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
 
Here are just some of the wonderful gifts of summer, I personally look forward to every year, without a hint of sarcasm: sunburns, droughts, wildfires, dudes with serious BO in front of you in the checkout line, mosquitos and increased energy bills. It’s that last one that bugs me the most. No, that’s not a mosquito pun. The federal government expects summer power bills to increase, on average, 6.2%. Yay, more of my money out the window. Though I guess if I closed that darn window, it would do a better job trapping the cool air. Regardless, when summer gets here, trying to live without A/C is like trying to live without cheese: I’m not doing it. So, that got me thinking. Surely there are things one can do to offset the increased energy needs of the HVAC to keep the house cooled more affordably, right? Right? Here’s what I found:


 
To maximize the energy efficiency of your A/C, set it to 78 degrees. This article from Bryant Heating and Cooling, who manufacturers residential and commercial heating and cooling units, reiterates current industry recommendations. Furthermore, they state that the ideal home temperature is between 75- and 78-degrees Fahrenheit. My first question, are the people who did these studies Gila monsters? There’s no immediately-thinkable scenario where I would personally define 75+ degree temperatures as “ideal” or “comfortable.” Is it optimal for your HVAC system? Well, yeah, I think that’s what they’re saying but I am man, not machine. As soon as external temperatures creep above 65, I’m ready to pack it up and move to Greenland.


 
Seals and leaks. Much like one would do to “winterize,” review your home in and out for potential leaks, cracks and compromised seals to prevent the escape of that precious cool air. The usual culprits? Doors and window sills. Especially doors. After all, you open and close them rather frequently. That friction, over time, wears out joints and seals allowing more air to escape.


 
Insulation. Another one that people really only think about in regards to winter is insulation. That’s a mistake. Insulation doesn’t care about air temperature. To quote the late, great Neil Peart (world’s greatest drummer/lyricist for you youngins) it’s “the pride of purpose in the unrewarding job.” In the winter, insulation is there working to trap warm air. In the summer, it will work just as hard to trap cool air. Thank you, insulation. You are seen.


 
Ceiling fan direction. Here’s one I’m willing to bet that most people have never even considered. What direction is your ceiling fan spinning? When it’s warm, you want the fan to be moving counterclockwise. This creates a downdraft of cool air which, in the summer, is kind of what you want. Additionally, it works in tandem with your A/C, helping to better circulate the cool air. A fan spinning clockwise will push down hot air which, because of its lower density, will naturally rise as opposed to sink.


 
Block the heat from outside. There are a few things you can do outside, believe it or not, that can greatly affect the internal temperature of your home. Trees and shrubs can provide much-needed shade and shutters and awnings can block direct sunlight from entering windows where the heat is only magnified by the glass. You can also install UV-blocking film on the windows from the outside, which comes with the added benefit of increased privacy.


 
Install an attic fan. It’s no secret that a lot of heat gets trapped in the attic during the summer. Fortunately, you can mitigate some of that heat build-up with proper attic ventilation. Strategically-placed intake and exhaust vents can help to better circulate the air and prevent a buildup of heat from the roof, as well as the heat forced upward by your A/C and fans. An attic fan, similar to what you have in the bathroom to remove steam and moisture, can be beneficial in further cooling the environment by forcing out the accumulated heat.


 
So, as you can see, there are additional measures you can take to remove the heat from your home, thus decreasing your reliance on your A/C unit. Machines like cars, A/Cs and even the human body if you want to be reductionist, have many moving parts working in synchronicity with one another. Excess stress or pressure on a given part results in wear and tear and eventually failure. One part’s failure directly affects the ability of subsequent parts to work in the way they should. The answer? Less stress on said parts. If your A/C is working at its maximum potential constantly, it’s only a matter of time before it wears out. Not to mention, it’s using vast amounts of energy to work in opposition to the natural elements. Taking some of the above outlined steps to reduce its workload is a smart idea, no matter how you look at it. After all, some A/C working for you is better than none. That’s like a life without cheese. Wait, did I already make that analogy? I really like cheese, you guys.