Hints to help homes chill.Byline: The Register-Guard A few simple adjustments around the house can keep residents cooler during the hottest spells of summer. The Oregon Office of Energy and the Eugene Water & Electric Board offer the following tips: Window shading See Phong shading, Gouraud shading, flat shading and programmable shading. : Install exterior window awnings or plant trees and shrubs to keep direct sun from reaching windows. Exterior shading is more effective than interior shading. Pre-cooling: At night, open skylights or upper-story windows to let warm air out, and open lower-story windows to let cool night air in. Close windows and doors in the morning to keep cool air in as long as possible. Ventilation fan: Install an attic ventilation fan to remove heat and improve a home's ability to cool off. This makes night cooling more effective. Lighting: Turn off lights whenever possible. Lighting, especially incandescent in·can·des·cent adj. 1. Emitting visible light as a result of being heated. 2. Shining brilliantly; very bright. See Synonyms at bright. 3. lights, generates unwanted heat. Also, replace standard incandescent light bulbs with cooler compact fluorescent fluorescent having the quality of fluorescence. fluorescent antibody see fluorescence microscopy. fluorescent antibody test see fluorescence microscopy. bulbs, which use about 70 percent less energy. Appliances: Operate the clothes washer washer Orthopedics A flattened disk of metal with a central hole used to distribute stress under a screw head to prevent thin cortical bone from splitting; serrated washers are used to affix avulsed ligaments, small avulsion fractures or comminuted fractures to the , dryer and dishwasher in the evening and avoid baking and stove-top cooking during the day. Cook at night, use the barbecue or serve a salad and other cold dishes for meals. Take cool showers. Air conditioning air conditioning, mechanical process for controlling the humidity, temperature, cleanliness, and circulation of air in buildings and rooms. Indoor air is conditioned and regulated to maintain the temperature-humidity ratio that is most comfortable and healthful. : About 30 percent of Oregon households have air conditioning. Set the thermostat thermostat, automatic device that regulates temperature in an enclosed area by controlling heating or refrigerating systems. It is commonly connected to one of these systems, turning it on or off in order to maintain a predetermined temperature. at 78 degrees when at home, 85 degrees when away. In the workplace, turn off computers and monitors at the end of the day; turn off unnecessary lights or use table lamps or spot lighting; set thermostats higher (74 to 76) for cooling during working hours, 80 during non-working hours. For more information, check the Oregon Office of Energy Web site at www.energy.state.or.us. In addition, EWEB's "CheckMe" program offers rebates and other incentives for maintaining heating and cooling systems cooling systems for housed animals include spraying of roofs with water, evaporative pads with fans, foggers and misters; for pastured animals shelter from the sun by trees or artificial shade devices and cooling ponds are used. at their highest efficiency. Go to www.eweb.org/energy/homeguide/index.html. EWEB also has an "energy home guide" available online at www.eweb.org/energy/homeguide/heatcool.html. |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion