Just how COOL are You?

09.24.10 / Uncategorized / Author: / Comments: (0)
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With fall here, Tightwad Granny and Sir Spendthrift have been arguing about whether to open the windows or to keep the air conditioner running.

Every time I hear the air kick on, I almost can see my hard-earned dollars being sucked into a pneumatic tube straight to the utility company.

I REALLY want to open the windows. Spendthrift REALLY wants to run the air. So I decided to do a little research on the simple technology of opening a window. Here are my findings:

He’s right — When the air outside is hot (even if it is windy) it feels cool to our body because the sweat on our bodies is evaporating (ooh). Furniture, walls, floors do not sweat so they are absorbing heat and becoming heat radiators.

I’m right — Opening the windows at night if it is cooler outside is the only time the house can be cooled.

Join the fan club!

Point your fan so it blows in and cool air will come in, but no warm air will be going out. Point it so that it blows out and warm air will blow out, but cool air won’t come in.

The solution — Either have two windows open and use one fan to blow out the warm air, or if you have two fans, have one blowing in and one blowing out. That must be a record. I’ve used a form of the word blow seven times.

Other things to consider to be a cool as Tightwad Granny:

Living in a tomb — Make sure you have all your windows covered with blinds and curtains (sunlight = radiation = heat) and lights turned off (you are heating up the room by the wattage of the bulb).

Check the direction of your ceiling fan — You should be able to feel the air coming down.

We did this one at the results were remarkable — Use a programmable thermostat to adjust air at night and when no one is home. Do not place a TV or lamp by your thermostat. It will make it run longer.

Go green — Plant trees on the south and west sides of your house. Use a trellis to grow vines to shade windows.

This is timely for us — Use light color shingles to reflect heat.

Stay cool, and take advantage of the cool fall nights!