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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.

By

Laura Moss
Tue, Jun 21 2011 at 10:44 AM
 59

Related Topics:

Energy, Obesity, Save Money
Thermostat on a tree

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. 
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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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Comments: 59
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tarrant's picture
Tarrant Jun 06 2011 at 9:29 AM

Hopefully that allows at least some time outside. In the meantime, take care of yourself. It sounds like you are trying to do a good job at keeping consumption down.

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anonymous
Danielle Jun 05 2011 at 9:19 AM

I can do it!

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tarrant's picture
Tarrant Jun 05 2011 at 9:36 AM

Welcome to the challenge Danielle!

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anonymous
Dena Jun 04 2011 at 3:14 PM
Here in the piedmont of NC, a/c is a must for an asthma sufferer like myself. I feel guilty but I would not want to try to live through our miserable summers without it. I keep the setting lower during the day when the temps are at their highest then raise it at night while we are sleeping. Our house is shaded on the front and back and we deliberately re-roofed with grey shingles a few years ago to help reflect the heat. We also have those old fashioned wind turbines on the roof to help vent the
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attic space. I keep all my shades and curtains pulled. This year I had to start in May-usually I don't have to until the end of June. We have too many code orange air quality days for me to try and get through without a/c. I would just be paying the hospitals what I'm paying the electric company if I tried. I feel that you can be enviromentally concious and have things that make your life more pleasant. Believe me, I grew up in Alabama during the 60's and 70's where if you had a/c in your house, you were rich. My relatives will tell you quickly that when a/c became affordable for everyone, they jumped right in and would never look back. I've had many older people tell me that everyone these days that long for the "good ole days" should have lived during those days. They would be happy for what they have now. They weren't always the "good ole days".
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tarrant's picture
Tarrant Jun 06 2011 at 9:26 AM

Some parts of North Carolina and some houses make no a/c easier, but you should not feel guilty for taking care of your health.

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anonymous
Aimee Coyote Jun 02 2011 at 1:38 PM

I believe that our bodies are designed to acclimate to our environments...Everyone lived this way once! We operate more efficiently not relying on things like A/C. People sweat and shiver for a reason...you will speed your metabolism, burn more calories,and sweat out toxins! Don't think I say this from an easy place... It's been 90+ and 75-80% humidity for over a week... best of luck to all and don't forget to drink lots of water!

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anonymous
RICHIE BATRA Jun 02 2011 at 12:31 PM

YOU people are crazy. No way. I keep both my AC's on Full Blast And Love It!!!

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anonymous
Nancy Lawson, N... Jun 02 2011 at 11:58 AM

I have repeatedly gone without air conditioning. When I was a kid, in the 50s we didn't have AC. We played outside, swam in our funky little pool and WE survived. Here in Nebraska we have high humidity ib the summer, usually in the 75% to 85% range. I just drink a lot of water, sweat and lose weight. too. I will take this challenge!

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anonymous
M, DC area Jun 02 2011 at 10:25 AM
With heat advisories starting to pop up in major metropolitan areas already (3 consecutive days in the DC area alone this week), asking individuals to shut off A/C isn't the best option. Granted, the pledge does say that you may use it "if you have to". And the minimum threshold will vary if you have infants/small children, elderly, illnesses, or are pregnant. Given the record heat days, I think asking people to be more responsible (rather than a blanket shut-off) would be better. Especially
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since we saw a spike in our bill when we first turned on our A/C, and not as much when we kept our temperature regulated at a "warmer than normal" temp instead with a digital thermostat. So, what will my household be doing? Keeping it around 74 degrees. I'm 8 mos. pregnant and live in an uninsulated 1950's brick ranch. I bump it up to 76 at night, and take an ice pack with me to bed. That's the best I can do for now.
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anonymous
Elenor Jun 02 2011 at 10:30 AM
Oh honey! Don't even think about being more uncomfortable! Being nearly 8 months is enough! Its doubly important for you to stay cool at this point! We live in southeast FL and we use a digital thermostat as well. We keep it at a constant 76 during the summer, when we're home. We have no pets, so we let it go up to 82 when we're at work or away for the weekend. We have it kick on an hour before we get home. Plus, we go most of the winter without using it (or the heating system) at all, though,
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so it balances out.
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anonymous
susan May 31 2011 at 1:55 PM
I rarely use my AC, if I do I keep it at 78 during the day and use a fan, at night I turn it off and put a fan in the window and use a ceiling fan. If you do that you'd be surprised how cool the room is. I have also used a trick my gran told me they used to do before AC (I once lived in a no ac apt in Chicago during a hot spell, my apt temp was over a hundred! I had to wet down my cats it was so hot) , you wet a light towel or fabric and place it between you and the fan (not on the fan!), so the
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air blows thru it to you-it really does make a difference.You can get used to living without AC, just take advantage of the open window to listen to the sounds of summer, it's very calming. My rule that I try to stick to is to not turn it on until the outside temp reaches the mid 90's--so far so good.
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anonymous
Sheri DH May 31 2011 at 12:33 PM
1. Reconsider how cool you're keeping your home with A/C. I don't refrigerate my home to 72 Fahrenheit. I set the thermostat to 78 when we're at home, let it go up to 80 when we're not home, and only take it down to 72 at night when we're sleeping. 2. Fans. I had never had A/C before this house, so I had lots of fans. I realized that the cooling effect of the moving air let me keep the temperature higher. I've added ceiling fans in a couple of rooms, and have oscillating fans for the bedrooms.
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It's made a big difference in our comfort level.
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anonymous
plant lover May 31 2011 at 2:27 PM

plus, simple and easy for anyone to try.

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tarrant's picture
Tarrant May 31 2011 at 7:29 AM
Yesterday's high was officially 90 with humidity between 53 and 90% all day. There was some grumbling at points in the afternoon. With our old house though it probably wouldn't have gotten cooler right away with AC. I tried to get buy-in from everyone by getting them to place a bet on when we would turn it on and how many days we would run it this summer.It wasn't a hit, perhaps because I didn't have a prize in mind. Any thoughts on getting buy-in? My partner actually seems less likely to stick
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it out than the kids. I can't even convince with the "but you like to save money" line.
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anonymous
Brenda P. May 31 2011 at 5:41 PM

that is...one person in the marriage likes AC and the other doesn't. LOL

In our case, our teen daughter's cross-country track coach solved the problem. He claims that his best runners are those who are AC-free....because they can tough it on the hard races. The worst are the kids coddled in AC all day....And we live in the deep south so we're talking hard-core heat.

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tarrant's picture
Tarrant Jun 01 2011 at 10:09 AM

My partner grew up running track in Charleston, SC. The coach thing didn't help. I tried though. So far I am being humored though.

My ex was half polar bear I think. He would ALWAYS have the AC on about as cold as it would go. I would turn it up once he left each day and turn it back down shortly before he came home so I didn't shiver all day.

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anonymous
Tamara May 28 2011 at 7:22 PM

How can I say that. Well, we don't have A/C in our home. We just open up our windows at night and in the morning we closes them. It helps being in the Sierra Nevada foothills where a breezy blows at night. Our house always stays 14 to 20 degrees cooler than outside.

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anonymous
Priscilla May 28 2011 at 5:39 PM
I live in a small cottage in San Jose, CA, close to the mountains. The temperatures here can be quite extreme, both hot and cold, and it can be pretty windy also. I have no air conditioning, but have double~glazed windows and 2 ceiling fans. The double~glazed windows really help to keep the temperature at home stable. I open my door and windows when the air is cool, and close them when temperatures rise in hotter weather. I always open the window in my bathroom when showering and turn on the ceiling
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fan in the bedroom periodically to help air circulation. I don't have a dishwasher, so this helps in reducing heat production. So far (after living here 6 months) I have witnessed temperatures ranging from 32F to the mid 90's F and have not suffered any discomfort without air conditioning, which makes me very happy! I do use air conditioning in my car when needed, as we all know what it feels like to get into a car that's been sitting in the sun... I also carry plants around in my car for work, so this makes the occasional air conditioning necessary. Windows are great for letting in cool breezes while driving so no need to make excessive use of AC!
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tarrant's picture
Tarrant May 31 2011 at 7:33 AM

The one part of no AC I will have problems with is the car. I haven't committed to keeping the challenge in the car. I do plan on trying ways to reduce the use though. We could park it in the shaded part of the driveway for example to reduce the amount of work it needs to do in order to cool down.

It sounds like you have the house to keep a good steady temp with minimal air conditioning. How many days do you think you will use it this summer?

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anonymous
Kari May 28 2011 at 4:11 PM
While I love the idea of turning off the air conditioning and saving our planet, I must admit that I will not be doing this. There are 40 states in the USA that could do this. However, as someone living in southeast Texas, our highs are 100 and our lows are around 80 degrees. That doesn't include the humidity that we deal with day in and day out. I respect the environment and live with my windows open from mid. september until mid. may. So from Memorial Day to Labor Day, I am living with my
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a/c on. To contribute, I will keep my A/C set at 80 degrees (and it will still run like crazy to battle the heat). There was one time that we lost power for 5 hours in the middle of the night and my family and I nearly sweated to death as the temperature in our house rose and the humidity grew to increasingly uncomfortable levels. This article is definitely for all the northerners who set their a/c at 72!
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anonymous
Carey May 31 2011 at 10:36 AM

As we live in Pensacola, Florida (and not near the beach part :) Our goal isn't to go AC-Free but AC-less. You'd be surprised how many people turn their AC on in March here & just never stop running it.

We take it on a week-by-week basis. If it's 90-plus, we consider turning it on. But we can usually last through the 80s....

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anonymous
Meghan May 28 2011 at 3:58 PM

We've been thinking about giving this a go. I'm all for it, but my husband isn't so sure. He works from home, in the smallest room of the house, with 2 east-facing windows, and 2 computers running (for work.) It gets hot in there! Hopefully, we will come up with a solution that works for him. We've had some hot days already, and he's gotten through them OK.

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tarrant's picture
Tarrant May 31 2011 at 10:56 AM
as my computer acted up and as I was frustrated with it, I also decided it was too hot. I put some ice packs in a pillow case and put it under the computer. No, it didn't fix the Internet, but I did feel better. Computers do put out a lot of heat and do suffer from it as well. I can understand your husband's reluctance. Do you have thermal curtains to block out the heat in that room? Tinted film? It won't zap away computer heat but might help some. We work from home in a two computer office with
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three east facing windows along the side. We keep the blinds down and there is a large tree and fence that help block the sun. This is a plus in the summer--in the winter not so much.
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anonymous
KAREN May 28 2011 at 3:55 PM

U don't have it in truck or my house, I will not. God gave me shade and a lake for coolin off thank you God. I one time I had a ac unit in my house i disconnected the wires under panel so others in the house thought it was broke, LOL

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anonymous
Stephanie May 28 2011 at 12:01 PM
I love this challenge! Kudos to all who are going to give it a go. I also want to invite the organizer to allow earthbongo.com to host it for you. Your challenge can be embedded directly into MNN so users won't have to leave your page, but the cool thing is, users can upload rich media (photos, videos, etc.) of how they're coping and interact with each other in a social setting. But the best part is, you can track in aggregate the savings of all involved. By that I mean, after putting in metrics
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of say how many KW hours is typically used in one hour of using the A/C, you can calculate how many KWs were saved in all those hours everyone has it turned off! You can see you impact build and grow right away. Check us out (earthbongo.com) and let us know if you might be interested. We'd love to host you and can get you set up in a quick jiffy. Good luck!
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