Green Cooling
Does my air conditioner contribute to 'carbon emissions'?
An air conditioner, unless it's powered from a green energy source, definitely contributes to carbon emissions. It does so in the equivalent to the amount of energy it uses. So, check your electricity bill and convert that into the amount of carbon emissions it puts out.
What can I do to make my air conditioner more efficient?
To make an air conditioner run more efficiently, you should definitely make sure that the filter in the unit is free from debris, so the fan doesn't have to work as hard to push air through it. In addition, you should make sure that there's no leaks in the system. One of the biggest ways to make it run more efficiently is to increase the temperature that you're trying to cool your house to.
What is a 'swamp cooler'?
What is a 'whole house fan'?
A "whole house fan" will take the air from inside your house and vent it to the outside. When it does it, that draws air in from open windows and doors and it is especially effective in the evening when the outside of your house is cooler than the inside. It creates a nice breeze and it works really well.
What can I do to the outside of my windows to make them more energy efficient?
The windows in your home let a lot of energy come into and out of your house. Good things you can do to the outside of your windows is put a coating on them that reduces the amount of solar energy that comes into them. That can be applied as an aftermarket product. You can also plant trees that will shade the windows and the rest of the house. You can also put awnings out above your windows, and that will reduce the amount of energy that comes into the house through the windows.
What are 'low-emissivity' low-E coatings for windows?
Low-E coatings are a thin coating of metal oxide that's applied to the inside or outside of the window. What that does is reflect solar energy. In areas where you want to keep heat in, you would put those coatings on the inside of the window to prevent heat from escaping the house, and in areas where it's hot, where you want to keep heat on the outside of the home, that would be on the outside of the window and reflect the solar energy, and keep it outside the house. They are normally applied on newer windows in a retro-fit situation, but they can be applied to existing windows as a coating or film that is put on the outside of the window.
How does ventilating my attic reduce air conditioning costs?
In the heat of summer your attic is extremely hot, and ventilating the attic allows air to move through the attic which cools it and basically reduces the effect of the heat transfer from the attic into the house.
What is a 'solar attic fan'?
A solar attic fan will vent the attic. It will remove hot air from the attic, and it's powered by the sun. It sucks air from the attic, which reduces the heat buildup, thus reducing the amount of energy that's needed to cool the house.
