It's Getting Hot in Here: Energy-Saving Air Conditioner Tips

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A/C 101

If you live in a humid climate, you may want to consider keeping your air conditioner's thermostat fairly consistent. Your A/C helps filter humidity from the air. Turning your A/C off or turning it up considerably will only cause your A/C to work very hard when you turn it back on. When I lived in Denver, I could turn the thermostat up more because it was dry and the nights were cooler. I live in Dallas now and that's not the case. Check with your electric company for optimal thermostat adjustments in your area. They typically keep this data.

David of TX @ Aug 04, 2008 09:54:36 AM

Ceiling Fans

Remember to flip your ceiling fan switch. Look at the way the blade edge tilts. One edge up, and the other towards the ground. Switch the lever on the fan's base so that the fan rotates with the leading edge being the down side. This pulls UP cooler air from the floor rather than push the warmer air down on you. Then once winter comes, flip the switch again so that it spins with the high edge leading. This will help get the heated air down towards you. Happy cooling.

Shannon KS of CA @ Aug 02, 2008 15:11:34 PM

Turn your air conditioner up not totally off

When you turn your air conditioner off, everything in your house-furniture, walls, etc heats up. It takes a long time to cool your house back down. The compressor must run longer and that's what uses the majority of the energy.

Deana of TX @ Aug 02, 2008 12:30:28 PM

save on air conditioning

I live in the desert - have found tile floors thru out the house except for bedrooms together with wood shutters greatly reduce air conditioning costs during summer! The cost of real wood shutters was tough but it has paid off!!

NWeiss of CA @ Jul 22, 2008 04:38:37 AM

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Fresh Greens

Fresh Greens

Maura Judkis is a producer at U.S. News. She writes about the green movement and looks for ways to be an ecofriendly consumer without breaking the bank. Send her your green tips.

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