Cooling - half the summer bill
If we need the air conditioner often - the building needs to be fixed. They cost a lot of money to run. It is somewhat ironic that air conditioners are a major climate change contributor.
Action areas:
1. It's summer. Take the jumper off. Changing behaviour can make a 30% difference to the heating bill.
2. Seal drafts - The average home has gaps in the walls/floors/roof that add up to the equivalent of a one metre window being open constantly.
3. Block the high winter sun - direct sun on the window adds 5 degrees to the temperature inside. All Australian homes need eaves that allow the winter sun and block the summer sun.
4. Contain cooling to the spaces you are using. Cooling unused spaces is a huge money and climate waster.
5. Once the thermostat goes below 26 degrees, we add ten percent to the cooling bill for each degree of cooling.
6. Insulation pays for itself in none months - check out our insulation pages under house/materials.
7. Open the windows at night - allow the home to cool.
8. Ceiling fans need to be switched to the summer setting.
9. Pedestal fans are cheap to run and make us feel cooler.
10. Evaporative coolers are cheaper to run and better for the climate than refrigerative air conditioners, but they require water.
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- by saya — last modified 06/11/2009 07:20 AM
