Energy Optimization Through Shade Trees and Fans-Life without AC

Everyone values their air conditioner on a hot summer day. If you leave your air on always, your power bill will get expensive very quickly. Using air conditioning in a habitual manner also hurts the environment because air conditioners release carbon dioxide into the environment. The U.S. Department of Energy released a report that stated that American heating and cooling systems were accountable for half a billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions into the air yearly. This produces an impact on global warming. There are ways that you can be cool and comfortable in your home without relying on air conditioning as much.

Trees and other vegetation can serve as a natural home-cooling mechanism by sheltering your house with shade. Although some trees do take too long to grow to provide adequate shade, there are many varieties that grow rapidly, including willow oak and red maple, which can start shading your home in just a couple of years. Check with a garden professional for the best, fast-growing trees for your location, and then plant them on the southern and western sides of your property to ensure the most benefit from shade.

Deciding on window treatments is much more serious than interior decorating. Window treatments will serve as a buffer from the sun's rays which will heat up your home. Window treatments like shades, blinds, or insulated drapery should be closed during the hottest part of the day or when there is direct sunlight coming through the window. If you pick drapes, they need to be hung very closely to the wall so that the maximum amount of heat is kept out. Also, consider light colored window treatments whenever possible because these colors will resist heat absorption.

Another option to consider is a shade screen. These durable, light shades are also called solar shields. They are installed on the outside of your home, on the side that faces south. These solar shields reduce your energy bill by blocking almost all of the light rays that hit the shield. Although expensive, they can be well worth the investment in the long run

Now that ceiling fans come in a broad variety of designs, you can easily find something that you like and that you can use to enhance your home's appearance. Ceiling fans are a popular choice for many homeowners because they are low-cost and will make a difference in keeping your home cool. Using tabletop fans is another possibility. One way you can use tabletop fans to the greatest advantage is to place one fan at one end of your house so that it is blowing air into your home, then place a second fan at the opposite end of your house so that it is blowing hot air out. This creates a current of air that will cool down your home quickly. This is a successful tactic to use at night when the outside temperature is cooler. If your home is the type that has hot air trapped in the attic, try a whole-house fan. This option is very reasonably priced, and is easily mounted in your attic. The whole-house fan works to draw in cooler outside air while pushing out the hot air trapped inside.

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