| Green Metroplex Reprint Article Three Effective Ways to Reduce Air Conditioning Energy Cost |
| Return to Factoids List . Return to Green-Metroplex Home Page . The web address of this page is http://www.green-metroplex.com/factoids/In_Vivo/Save_on_AC.html Revised 9/17/2008 |
1) Plant deciduous shade trees and vines on the South and
West exposures of your building(s). Water is far a cheaper
expense than electricity. If direct sunshine doesn't reach the
building it cannot radiantly heat the building, which is the
single most expensive form of heat energy that air
conditioners must remove in summer time. Those same
deciduous shade plants loose their leaves in winter and allow
the sun to warm the building somewhat. Most shade plants
take from two to eight years to become cost effective,
however they only cost a handful of change per year in
water usage to save multiple dollars per year in electric
energy savings, once mature and fully spread.
2) Without changing the set point of your thermostat you
can save money for air conditioning by retrofitting the
majority of your indoor incandescent lights with compact or
full sized fluorescent lighting. Over 90% of incandescent
energy is in the form of non-visible infrared light (heat.).
CFL's make about 70% less heat than a comparable
incandescent bulb makes.
3) Clean your air conditioner's inside and outside coils during
the spring. Lubricate motor bearings and adjust v-belts
if needed every year. Change return-air filters monthly.
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