As we Californians endure this hot spell, let me give you the most cost-effective strategy for keeping cool (and saving A/C costs). It works especially well if you live within a dozen miles of the coast (most of us do!). Install a whole house fan in your ceiling such as the model below (this one from Amazon for $350). Bigger is better. Ours is 36 for a 2,500 sq ft 2 story home. Because of joists, 24 fans cost less and are much easier to install (no cutting of joists), but of course move less air per minute. You need a peaked roof (as opposed to flat) -- the attic (even a low attic) is the place the fan pushes the air. If you put in a fan over 24, probably you will want a couple of passive wind turbines, or at least gable vents. The professional installation can easily cost much more than the fan -- the mounting, the wired controller, the wind turbines, etc. If YOU are handy, it can be done (24) for less than $500 with the fan included. What you get is a cooler house, including a cooler attic. We cut our A/C use 60%-80%. It can be more if youre not a wuss like me. Fresh air and a breeze is usually welcome by all. Probably cuts down a bit on mold and helps reduce deterioration in the attic, but Im just speculating about that (California air is dry). Its a cheap alternative to solar, and per buck saves a lot more dollars -- plus your life will be more pleasant. Depending on current law, you might get a modest tax credit for your efforts. Also your local utility may offer a rebate for such an installation ($100 or so, varies). The fans usually come with shutters, which automatically open and close to accommodate the fans activity. Keeps the alligators out. BTW, get a 2-speed fan (most are, but you need your controller to handle that). When its warm weather, we often leave our whole house fan on late into the evening -- even all night -- to really cool down the house with the fan on low (quieter). We turn off the fan and button up the house about 8 AM or so. We dont need no stinkin A/C until 2 PM -- if at all). About 5 PM (depending out outside temperature), open up the house and put the fan on high. Youll be delighted.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 22:05:33 +0000
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