Volume 2, Number 6 June, 2004
Monthly Quote
“A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it.”
-George Moore (1852-1933), Irish poet, author and dramatist

Tip of the Month

If you are thinking of buying a new house, an important piece in your decision should be your and/or your family’s commute. A smart test would be to drive to and from your prospective new house and your job during rush hour. If you find the commute long or complex, think about how much you would like to do that every weekday (or even weekend) for years. Do the other things you like about the home or community outweigh the nasty drive? Are you tired or irritable from the drive to or from work now? If the commute from a new home is not bearable, consider looking for a home or neighborhood closer to the places you work and frequent, or near to a public transportation stop so you can eliminate the commute completely.
Hot Ideas for Keeping Cool

SYNOPSIS: There are sometimes easier, cheaper and more efficient ways to keep cool than cranking up the air conditioning. This is the summer to try these great ideas.

A recent Parade magazine article discusses some great options to turning up the air conditioner this summer to keep cool. Many of these options will save energy and are easier to install if you do not already have air conditioning.

Window Fans Window fans can capitalize on a nice summer breeze or create a breeze where there isn’t one. These fans are best used in tandem, and you should look into the reversible ones, so you can exhaust the air out or pull it in, depending on the direction of the wind and the position of the sun outside. Also consider built-in exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen to make summer humidity and heat more bearable.

Ceiling Fans A ceiling fan is a good way to produce top-down air. Be sure to choose one with an appropriate diameter to the size of the room. You should also choose a fan with a good motor and heavy housing for quiet operation and minimal vibration. After you make your purchase, center the fan in the room, hanging it at least one foot from the ceiling, but no lower than seven feet from the floor. If you have a high ceiling, there are ceiling fan models available that have add-on downrods to extend the fan to a place where you can feel the circulation of the air.

Whole-house Fan This type of fan uses one-third of the electricity of an air conditioner and exhausts hot air. A large-capacity whole-house fan (one which exchanges all of the air every one to two minutes) can cool the entire house in less than an hour. You should install the fan in a central upper hallway and vent the hot air out through the attic. A vacuum will be created by the draw of the fan, which will pull cool air in through open windows on the lower levels of your home.

If you are looking for cheaper ways to keep cool this summer, try these tips:

  • During the daytime, draw shades, curtains and shudders to keep out the sun. Light, reflective colors will be most effective.
  • Leave doors between rooms open so air can circulate more effectively throughout the house.
  • Open windows on opposite sides of the house to make the most of daytime breezes and create cross-ventilation.
  • If temperatures cool down at night, open windows only in the evening to let the cool air in. Close them in the morning when the sun starts to heat up the air outside