A Cooler Alternative

My favorite alternative cooling device is a gin and tonic. It is portable, easy to use and provides instant refreshment on demand.

Is there such a thing as a credit Tanqueray energy tax?

Although you can install solar panels, wind turbines or micro hydro to generate electricity to run an air conditioner, the only true whole house alternative cooling method is a geothermal heat pump geothermal.

The cost of this type of system can be recovered in just two years a new house installation, but the cost of the initial capital is more than afford an apartment.

Say you re-mortgage your house for $ 20,000 and you have the choice between a new kitchen and a geothermal heat pump, the number of new heat pumps to its neighbors been showing lately?

Cheaper options to consider:

Air conditioning

The only people who have not learned the value of caulking, weather stripping and insulation are still living in caves or tents.

Fans

Ceiling, wall and portable fans produce air movement in the skin that increases evaporative cooling. A moderate breeze of one to two miles per hour can extend your comfort zone of several degrees.

Whole house fans and evaporative (Järvenpää) coolers

These devices can reduce your cooling costs by 50% or more but is only effective if you live in an arid climate (less than 40% moisture).

White roof

Elastomeric roof coatings reflect 90% of the sun's rays and reduce indoor air temperature of 7 degrees, according to independent research laboratory MER Corporation. These paintings are flat roofs and costs about 0.50 per square foot to apply.

Radiant barriers

These barriers glossy, reflective keep out excess heat from your attic during the summer or keeping your floors warm in winter. Staple in the beams or joists, it reflects 97 of the radiant heat it receives. Nonprofit Solar Energy Center in Florida has shown that radiant barriers can reduce cooling costs by at least 20%.

Air conditioning

Clean the filter once a month. Turn off A / C when you travel over an hour. It saves money. Draw shades while you're at work. Close unused rooms or, if you have central A / C registers in rooms and close the doors close.

Set / C thermostat at 78 ° C or more, if you have a ceiling fan. Every able to raise the thermostat, you can save 3% -5% margin of cost.

If you want to make a fortune in alternative cooling, invent an air conditioner that runs on corn.