Springtime is upon us, which means that summer is just
around the corner. For those living in Southern California, this means it’s
time to begin thinking about ways to manage the impending sweltering heat. The
California drought that’s been plaguing the state for the past couple of years
has meant that residents throughout the state have needed to cut back on water
use. Since frugality is this year’s theme, why not also save money and energy
while staying cool?
Running the air conditioner at home can be costly, not to
mention environmentally unfriendly. Fortunately, there’s a cost-effective,
green way to keep you and your loved ones cool this summer—a whole house fan.
These are fans that circulate air throughout your entire home, which when done
strategically, is an effective means for maintaining fresh air at a comfortable
temperature.
The
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (a subcommittee of the U.S. Department
of Energy) provides a convenient pamphlet that shows you exactly how much you
save when you use a whole house fan. You can save literally thousands of
dollars by simply installing a house fan unit in your home, rather than an air
conditioning unit. If you already have a unit where you live, then consider
running just the fan, rather than entire piece of machinery. Running the fan in
the evenings when outside temperatures are cooler brings down the overall
ambient temperature inside. Once the inside of your home has been chilled, the
fan then circulates the cool air during the day, while sucking out the hot air
and expelling it through your attic.
While the basic physics of a whole house fan is
fundamentally simple, getting one into your home might be more challenging.
There are certainly places online that will give you directions on how you can
install one yourself, but it is better to consult a professional who can
make sure the job is done properly. You won’t save money if you constantly have
to fix a poorly done DIY project. Be the first on your street to truly beat the
heat while saving money and the environment.
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