Ideas for A/C alternatives??? Help!
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enjoys freebies · Thu Jun 05, 2008 3:58 pm Quote

I just had the rudest awakening when my electric bill (Ameren) went up 75% - and our consumption has actually DEcreased. Since those rates are only going to be going UP I'm wondering about keeping cool (and dry - it's not the heat it's the HUMIDITY) without cranking up the a/c.

The ones I can think of are: use fans, dehumidifiers, move slowly, only use washer/dryer on off-peak hours, limit use of cooking in the house, drink lots of cold liquids, light clothing, cool showers/baths, spend time at the mall/library/gym/pool, close the blinds, wear a cold-water-soaked bandana around your neck...

Any other ideas from fellow frugal freaks?
tia
fawnie

enjoys freebies · Thu Jun 05, 2008 9:00 pm Quote

Well, its not quite hot here yet....heck, its not even warm. We're having the coldest rainiest June EVER. Grrr ... I'm in Vancouver btw Smile

Anyways, I would do whatever you have listed. I keep the blinds closed during the day to keep the heat out and when its evening, windows open, and we have the fan circulating the warm air out. We use one of those window fans which are awesome. Its not an AC, but you can put it in/out of a window. There are 2 fans on the fan panel and switches that control each fan. You can set it so that one fan sucks in air and cools the room, and the other fan simultaneously sucks OUT warm out (intake and exhaust). It works really well for us and keeps us super cool at night - almost like an AC.

We also use our ceiling fan to circulate air in the house (larger areas)...or use our other "cooler". Again, this isn't an AC per se, but we just stick it close to a door/window and it sucks in air, and uses water to cool the air and expel it into the house...this also works pretty well for us.

Umm..I can't think of anything else at the moment...go to parks/beach to cool down...wear as little clothing as possible LOL.

Good luck Smile

enjoys freebies · Sat Jun 07, 2008 10:41 am Quote

Tx Pug! Yeah I'll def look into that fan you mentioned - I have a Vornado for the window too that is awesome. It's just the sticky humidity that kills me!
Off to the kiddie pool in the backyard..my neighbors have their own solution: SuperSoakers and garden hoses!! Too much fun!

enjoys freebies · Sat Jun 07, 2008 3:12 pm Quote

I feel your pain fawnie, especially about the humidity! I live in Houston, TX (a.k.a. hell, at least temperature and humidity-wise!) and am beginning to see the same thing happen to my electric bill. We run ceiling fans constantly and unplug small appliances such as the toaster, coffee pot, etc. when we're not using them. Anything with a light, like an electric razor or DVD/VCR players, is always drawing power, so you can save money if you unplug them when not in use. I have a friend who has her TV, DVD player, and stereo plugged into a power strip that she turns off every night and she has saved a good deal of money. It may take longer to power on in the morning, but the money savings may be worth trying. Also, trying not to run certain appliances like the clothes dryer during the hottest part of the day can help keep the house cooler.

I live in an apartment and that's about all I can do. But my parents had a radiant barrier "painted" (I guess that's the right word to use) in their attic and it has made a huge difference. You may also want to consider switching electric companies--unless you are already averaging your bill, in which case you may incur a large penalty if you change providers. I don't know where you live, but in Texas there are websites where you can compare energy rates between companies.

Good luck with the electric bill and beating the heat and humidity!

enjoys freebies · Sun Jun 08, 2008 12:48 pm Quote

AnnieB
Radiant barrier, huh. Sounds like a good idea! Yes, I forgot that trick about unplugging everything at night, thanks!

Yes we average our bill, and the company we use is actually the cheapest in the area...they're all outta sight anymore. Those windfarms are intriguing to me and I think they are beautiful to look at. Too bad we can't have one on every block in the city.

I'm gonna resort to Marilyn Monroe's famous remedy: a fan blowing across a big bowl of icecubes and a skimpy outfit!! "Some DON'T Like it Hot"!! heheh

enjoys freebies · Wed Jun 11, 2008 11:34 am Quote

Swamp cooler is your best bet for A/C alternatives.

enjoys freebies · Wed Jun 11, 2008 1:53 pm Quote

Oh, Lord, swamp coolers are so horribly loud and damp. At least in my experience. I'd rather sweat. At least that's good for the skin!

Great tip about unplugging things.

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