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MNN's No-AC Challenge
We challenge you to decrease your air-conditioning use this summer and do something good for yourself, the planet and your wallet.
Tue, Jun 21 2011 at 10:44 AM
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Photo: Fertnig/iStockphoto
It's the official start of summer, when we light our grills, jump in the pool and in many parts of the country, run the AC full tilt. A blast of cool air can be refreshing when the temperature starts to climb, but the financial, environmental and health implications of air conditioning may have you adjusting the thermostat.
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AC is 16 percent of total electricity used in a home, and in warm regions, AC can account for 60 percent to 70 percent of your summer electricity bill.
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One-sixth of all electricity consumed in the U.S. is for airconditioning, and where does that electricity come from? Mostly from fossil fuels that pollute the planet and contribute to global warming.
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AC may contribute to obesity by keeping the body in the thermoneutral zone, a temperature range in which we don’t burn calories.
And the energy is only part of the story. Air conditioning keeps us insulated in our homes ... away from neighbors and isolated from the sounds of nature and life ... in a cocoon. So why not turn down the AC — better yet, turn it off — and save some cash, help the planet and join the natural world with MNN’s No AC Challenge?
HOW THE CHALLENGE WORKS:
- Don't use your AC between now and Labor Day.
- Unless you really have to. :)
- But, even then, ask yourself, "Do I absolutely, positively need to have it on? Could I go another day?"
- One caveat: Our readers in, say, Texas might get a bit more credit than followers in British Columbia. But we all live on the same planet and all steps help!
- And please let us know how you do. We're going to sweat together on this and need your inspiration.
Here are some tips to get you started:
- Wear short-sleeved, loose clothing. You dress lightly to go out on a summer day. Do the same indoors. Absorbent, wickable cotton (organic, of course!) is the hot weather classic.
- Drink lots of water. This is good practice under any circumstances. Cold drinks lower your body's core temperature and cool you down quickly.
- Draw your drapes. Keeping your blinds, shades and curtains closed — particularly on the west side of the house. This helps keep heat from getting inside in the first place.
- Turn off unnecessary heat-producing devices. Incandescent light bulbs are a big heat generator. Shut down electronic gear when you're not using it.
- Use the microwave. Conventional cooking dumps heat in the house, but microwaves cook the food directly.
- Wash and dry clothes when the day is cool. Do laundry early in the day and late at night. Don't forget clotheslines: they generate no heat in the house.
- Skip your dishwasher's dry cycle. Rack your dishes and let them air dry instead.
- Open the bathroom window when showering. Vent heat and humidity outside, rather than back into the house. Obviously, you don't want to put on a show for the neighbors. If you have privacy concerns, open up after dressing. Keep the bathroom door closed.
- Run your air conditioner's fan on low. This is particularly helpful in areas with high summer humidity. The low air volume helps your A/C dehumidify.
- Keep heat-producers away from your thermostat. Don't allow a closely located TV or water heater to convince your thermostat that it's hotter than it really is.
- Check your refrigerator settings. The fridge takes heat out of your food and transfers it to your kitchen, so be sure it's running efficiently. The refrigerator is best set between 37 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Put the freezer around 5 degrees.
- Turn off your furnace pilot light. You can always re-light it next autumn.
- Close the fireplace damper. Don't send cool air up the chimney. If your fireplace has a glass door, shut it.
Check out some more tips for staying cool this summer, including some home projects that will keep both your temperature and your power bill down.
Leave a comment below if you're up for the challenge, and let us know how you plan to beat the heat!
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Not turning on the ac is so stupid why would I be sitting in my house, sweating when I have an AC .... Makes no sense . Try Florida summers. Not fun
My son lives in Florida without AC. He's concerned both about his wallet and about the damage to the environment from power plants and the plants that build air conditioning. I think mostly it is his wallet though...running air conditioning is expensive.
I am not saying no AC Is for everyone but I don't like being cold in the summer, I want my windows open to hear the birds and insects and smell the flowers.
I do't like my air recirculated, I wil live with the sweat, I am a devoted gardener and I do that anyway.
Way to go! I am afraid we didn't do so well. We had a lot of days near or over 100 and unfortunately don't have a good whole house fan. Then on days when we might have done without--it seemed like it would be a lot of fuss because the next day would be hot again. We did keep it set so that it didn't cool as far as it did in past years. I hope to do better next year.
I grew up without A/C in my home, car and most of my schools. I have gone back to not using ecxept for the hottest nights. My summer electricity bill is usually 20-30 dollars. From late July to September it might be 60 dollars. I also turn off my hot water heater and air dry my clothes. I do fluff work shirts and pants for a few minutes. I turn off all power strips to appliances when not in use.
Use a microwave as an alternative? How about a solar heater? Microwaves are toxic machines sending dangerous radiation into our food. Our food is not cooked, it is nuked in a microwave Not to mention all of the health hazards that come from using and being near microwaves. Gross.
Would love to do this challenge but cannot. My mother lives with us and has asthma and other lung related issues. We do keep the thermostat at 80 in the summer, have solar panels on our roof and what power we use from the electric company is purchased from a company that has wind energy.
It sounds to me like your family has found a way to compromise in spite of important health issues. Haivng solar panels, I can't use such because of trees and other sun angle problems, and green power is great. Plus keeping temps at 80 makes a world of difference. Keep up the good work.
Lots of suggestions are for people who have houses, and lots of comments from ditto. I don't have control over a furnace, a thermostat, or a water heater, and there's no window in my bathroom. Plus all windows are on one side of my apartment, so there's no way to move air around without an electric fan unless I open my apartment door a crack - which bothers my neighbors and entices my cat to try to escape. But I do what I can!
I haven't used the AC in my house in over 15 years, although I've started to this year. I have elderly Great Danes that are having a hard time in the heat, so for every day that is over 100F, I turn on the AC (set at 78) so that they have it a bit easier. It definitely makes being out in the heat easier, since I acclimate much faster without the AC on.
You've never lived in TX during the summer, have you? We have already had a record number of 100+ degree days and it's only June. And yes, back in the day, people did without A/C - but think of how much more concrete and "canyon" heat we have to deal with now in bigger cities - it's just not feasible if you live in the city here. That said, I keep my at 78, except at night when it is 74.
I have spent some time in the summer in Texas (though I must confess in the gulf). A good bit of the MNN staff lives in Georgia.
As far as in the cities--no way. I would work to reduce the AC but 100+, not feasible anywhere.
Here in UT we don't run our AC -- even in the summer when it's routinely 90 degrees or hotter. We have few shade trees in this region and we're at 4600 feet elevation. Granted, it is a drier climate than say DC is (where we used to live). We don't miss the humidity! Plus, it cools off pretty nicely here at night (90 degree day yesterday but mid-50s at night last night) We pull or shades and we make "cooling" meals etc. It saves TONS of money and we're never THAT uncomfortable.
I'm in DC where it get's REALLY hot but already trying it. We've had a few hot days but the blinds drawn and limiting cooking is making it bearable (I also live in a building with a painted white roof!). Bought a Vitamix and doing raw food prep only this summer - will see how it works!
And I am jealous of the Vitamix--I had one for 15 years and loved it. Enjoy. It got me hooked on gazpacho. Any favorites yet?
Be careful in DC since it gets into those torturous days of 100. I moved out of an apartment in DC on 110 degree day once upon a time. It was truly horrid.
on the Vitamix, other than the smoothies/juices, favorite new prep is raw cashew "mayo." It's miraculous. Hope you replaced your old one!
It's scorching today but so far hanging in. Many tips out there - I've been an idiot by not closing windows during the day so I have nice warm air piping in....(smirk). My body is actually getting used to the higher temp. We'll see - it's only June and not yet Summer! Will give periodic updates...
We have a regular blender bought by the not cook in the family (what's the difference? ARG--Huge!)
I tried to get the windows closed the other day before the temps climbed but got busy and the heat came in followed by a slight cool, so I thought ok I will leave them open until morning. Ha ha ha.
Tomorrow we are back down to 66 though after 100 yesterday and near 100 today.
Keep us updated Mary!
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