Comments on: Saving Money on Cooling Your Home

By: KSE

KSE — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:35:00 +0000

The higher your AC’s Sear rating, the less energy you will use. Look for a number of 18 or higher. Most home builders install the lowest rated AC’s allowed by city code.

By: KSE

KSE — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:33:19 +0000

Another way to save energy is to upgrade to the highest Sear Rating AC with a two stage motor.

Seal all your outside walls including outlets and baseboards ..why builders don’t do this is beyond me.

Buy a frig with a two stage motor.

Plant trees in your yard.

By: Mark Shead

Mark Shead — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 21:30:28 +0000

@matt – I have tried some things like that, but it didn’t seem to make much of a difference for me. However if it works for you thats great! Just make sure you have plenty of airflow around the A/C. If you trap all the hot air in one place it will make things worse–so covering it with cloth may not be the best way to go.

By: matt

matt — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:06:16 +0000

What about putting a set of shutters or white cloth over the AC compressor in your back yard? I’ve found that cuts the cost of cooling quite a bit. (Since the metal is cooler, it cools the hotter air more effectively.)

By: Clare

Clare — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 09:38:41 +0000

10. Move to Ireland. . .

By: Paul Maurice Martin

Paul Maurice Martin — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 01:36:47 +0000

Good tips. I remember when I discovered no. four for myself and being surprised how much of a difference that can make on a hot day.

By: Johnny Mean

Johnny Mean — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:09:24 +0000

I live in a studio with glass floor to ceiling on to of the walls. Instead of tin foil, I have found space blanket is relatively cheap ($2-3) and you can use one or two layers to control amount of tint. Way easier to put up instead of tin foil.

By: Mark Shead

Mark Shead — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 15:15:56 +0000

@Tyler – I hadn’t thought about that.

By: Tyler Ingram

Tyler Ingram — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 15:07:02 +0000

If I put tin-foil on my windows people will think my house is a grow op

Though luckily I have huge ever greens that block setting sun so in the evening its pretty cool.

By: brent

brent — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 04:59:28 +0000

you mean there are people who turn on the oven on a 45 degree (113 fahrenheit) day?

who needs to use the drier in summer? it’s quicker to put them on the line! what with global warming, the first load is dry by the time the second load has finished…

…my sister once met a Norwegian who said, with all sincerity “I just love those warm summer months, you can get all your washing done in one week.”

Week?! I’m used to ‘afternoon’.