There are a lot of different ways to stay cool in your home during these hot summer months. The first and most favorable way is to have a Central AC unit installed or running throughout your home. As much as this keeps your house at a cool temperature, it may not be the option some can afford to run or install, as it can be very pricy (approximately $1.50 an hour).
If that's the case, there are some other alternatives to having a cool house.
1. Attic Fans/House Fan - These fans will help vent out the heat from the attic in the summer time and cost minimal to run. Solar attic fans cost nothing to run as they run on the solar energy from the sun. Attic fans are inexpensive to have installed and run. Running attic/house fans for 10 summers is cheaper than running your central AC for 1 summer.
2. Ceiling Fans - Ceiling fans will help to circulate the air in the house and are especially effective with central AC. Average cost per day is around $.20/day.
3. Window Fans - When the temperature outside drops below the temperature inside, turning on those window fans will help to create a nice cool evening. By using this method only in the evenings and through the night should cost you roughly $.25/day.
4. Shades - Having blinds and shades on the windows for most of us is a privacy/decoration desire, but having them drawn down over the windows during the summer to block out the sun is highly effective in preventing the sun's heat coming into your home.
5. Wall/Window AC Units - Compared to central AC, these may be more of a pain but they are more efficient and much cheaper than central AC. These units (depending how big they are) costs about $60-$80 a month to run.
6. Trees - Planting trees on the South/West side of your homes will give you shade during these hot summer months. Choosing trees that drop their leaves will give you sun in the winter for that extra heat.
7. Insulation - If you don't have at least 12 inches of insulation in your attic, consider adding some for that extra barrier, as well as making sure your duct work is free from leaks and well insulated.
If you love your Central AC, make sure it's working to the best of it's ability for the lowest costs. See that landscaping is not crowding the outside unit, or compressor, as this needs to breathe to work efficiently. With landscaping crowding it, it may have to work harder which will cost you more. Always check to see if it needs cleaning and how to clean it. Some need to be turned off where others are okay to be left on. If you are unsure, have a professional clean it for you. The recommended time is every year.
Enjoy this beautiful weather and stay cool!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
Are you using your power strips safely?
There are more than one way you can use power strips/surge protectors in an unsafe manner. By using electrical components in ways they were not intended for, it may result in a fire, damages to your property or self, or fatality. Here are a few tips to help you keep using power strips in a safer way and avoid the dangerous habits of electrical usage.
1. Never use a power strip to power another power strip or connect through an extension cord. By using an extension cord or another power strip to power another is a direct violation of the NEC (National Electrical Code) as well as OSHA.
2. Keep power strips from being permanently attached to walls, tables, or structures or permanently used. According to the U.S. Office of Compliance, using for more than 90 days is being permanently used.
3. Do not use a 3-to-2 prong adapter to connect a power strip, remove the grounding prong or connect two power strips into a single wall receptacle.
4. Overloading is highly dangerous and could result in electrocution or fire. Avoid more than one appliance on a power strip or powering appliances that are not intended for ancillary power sources like space heaters or microwaves. Using power strips that have an internal circuit breaker should prevent overloading and overheating. It is highly recommended to replace all power strips/surge protectors with ones that contain an internal circuit breaker.
5. Power cords should be straight and not knotted and prongs are fully inserted into receptacle at all times. Unplug power strips when all components connected are not in use.
6. All cords should be fully coated with no wires showing, no cracks, or splices. If cracks, splices or exposed wires are found, no longer use the power cord.
7. Unplug all cords immediately when they feel hot to touch. Power strips need air circulation to prevent the chance of over heating. Placing behind furniture or underneath carpet, will prevent the necessary air circulation. If the power strip is too hot, evaluate what you have plugged into this strip and replacement is recommended.
8. Never place in a moist/wet environment.
9. Avoid plugging in components that create a heat source, such as space heaters, coffee makers, toaster ovens.
10. Not all power strips are the same, make sure to follow the manufacture's instructions and only connect what is intended for each power strip.
1. Never use a power strip to power another power strip or connect through an extension cord. By using an extension cord or another power strip to power another is a direct violation of the NEC (National Electrical Code) as well as OSHA.
2. Keep power strips from being permanently attached to walls, tables, or structures or permanently used. According to the U.S. Office of Compliance, using for more than 90 days is being permanently used.
3. Do not use a 3-to-2 prong adapter to connect a power strip, remove the grounding prong or connect two power strips into a single wall receptacle.
4. Overloading is highly dangerous and could result in electrocution or fire. Avoid more than one appliance on a power strip or powering appliances that are not intended for ancillary power sources like space heaters or microwaves. Using power strips that have an internal circuit breaker should prevent overloading and overheating. It is highly recommended to replace all power strips/surge protectors with ones that contain an internal circuit breaker.
5. Power cords should be straight and not knotted and prongs are fully inserted into receptacle at all times. Unplug power strips when all components connected are not in use.
6. All cords should be fully coated with no wires showing, no cracks, or splices. If cracks, splices or exposed wires are found, no longer use the power cord.
7. Unplug all cords immediately when they feel hot to touch. Power strips need air circulation to prevent the chance of over heating. Placing behind furniture or underneath carpet, will prevent the necessary air circulation. If the power strip is too hot, evaluate what you have plugged into this strip and replacement is recommended.
8. Never place in a moist/wet environment.
9. Avoid plugging in components that create a heat source, such as space heaters, coffee makers, toaster ovens.
10. Not all power strips are the same, make sure to follow the manufacture's instructions and only connect what is intended for each power strip.
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