Renewable Energy Today

When the weather is warm, a central or window air-conditioning unit can provide much needed relief from the heat of the day. However, running an air conditioner all day long can not only send electric bills through the roof, but also release detrimental carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which damages the environment and our health. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling systems in the United States release over a half billion tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year, which contributes to global warming. Fortunately, there are several inexpensive and much more environmentally friendly ways to alleviate the heat without air conditioning.

Having trees around your home is a great way to keep your home cool. Shade makes a huge impact on the temperature of your home. The chief thing to do is to select a type of tree that will develop quickly and start to provide you shade faster. Pick a variety of tree that will grow speedily such as willow oak or red maple. You can talk to employees from the local nursery or a garden expert to pick the perfect variety of tree for your climate. The most sensible area to plant your trees is on the southern and western side of your home so that your house gets the most amount of shade possible.

Window treatments can form a practical barrier against the sun’s warm rays when used correctly. Purchase shades, blinds, or insulated cloth and close them tight when it is hot outside, or when the sun is streaming through your windows. The more secure the drapery is to the wall, the less heat it will allow inside. Select light-colored window treatments whenever possible, as these will not absorb the heat.

Another possibility to think about is a shade screen. These long-lasting, light shades are also called solar shields. They are installed on the outside of your home, on the south-facing side. These solar shields cut down on your energy bill by blocking almost all of the light rays that hit the shield. Although expensive, they can pay for themselves in saved energy costs

Ceiling fans are an inexpensive method to keep your home’s temperature cool when it’s hot outside. You can pick a fan that accents your home’s décor and use it to keep the main areas of your home cooled, or purchase several for bedrooms as well.

If you opt for tabletop fans instead and it is breezy outside, consider placing one in an open window at one end of your house where the air is coming in, and another in a window at the opposite end of the house, which is positioned to blow the warm air outdoors. This creates the effect of a wind tunnel, and serves to circulate the cool air throughout your home. It works particularly well at night, when it’s cooler outside.

If your attic holds a lot of warm air, you might want to invest in a whole-house fan. These fans are mounted on your attic’s ceiling and draw the outside air, which may be cooler, indoors and through your attic and roof. The hot air from your attic and other areas of your home is forced to exit via roof vents. Whole-house fans cost from $150 to $400 and are of great benefit.

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