There are plenty of easy, low-cost alternatives to cranking up the air conditioners, which require a lot of energy to operate, which leads to more air pollution and more greenhouse gases being released into the environment.  These solutions will help keep you cool, save a few bucks, and reduce your carbon footprint:

• Use fans to keep the air moving.  Ceiling fans can lower the temperature in a room by as much as 7 degrees.
• Window coverings such as shades, drapes or blinds can reflect heat away from the house.  Close them during the day on the sunny sides of the house.
• Heat sources inside:  turn of lights, computers, etc. when you’re not using them.  Don’t use a stove or oven to cook-grill outside.  Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact florescent bulbs.
• Air-conditioning:  if you use central air, program your thermostat to work around your family’s summer schedule; set the temp higher when no one is around.  Clean the filter regularly and change it when it’s dirty.  Consider buying a new air conditioner that is an ENERGY STAR product.
• Plant trees:  by planting deciduous trees on the south and west sides of your house you can reduce air conditioning costs by as much as 30% and still allow the sun to warm the house in the winter.
• Roofs:  install a light colored, reflective roof if you have renovation plans or your roof is ready to be replaced.
• Windows:  upgrade your windows to ENERGY STAR windows which will save costs in warm or cold seasons.
• Running air conditioning in the car:  when you’re traveling at less than 40 mph, it’s more fuel-efficient to open the windows.  Park in the shade, put a shade in the front window of the car and always roll down the windows when getting into a parked car.

Obviously, it may not be possible to eliminate the use of air conditioners entirely, but there are options that use less energy and keep your costs down.  Stay cool, save money ---and the environment! From “GREENWorks”-Ideas for a Cleaner Environment, a publication of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, 603-271-1370, and the Office of  Energy and Planning, 271-2155, Concord, NH-July 2010