Keeping Cool: Saving Energy While Beating the Heat
NORTHAMPTON, MA | ACCESSWIRE | September 27, 2022 | Edison International: By Ron Gales, ENERGIZED by Edison Writer Second in a three-part series. Part 1: Keeping Cool: 8 Tips for Air Conditioner Efficiency Many Southern California Edison residential and small business customers rely on window-mounted and portable indoor air conditioners to keep them cool during the summer. The energy these devices consume is a big factor in driving electric bills higher in the hot months. Here are tips for preventing these devices from using more energy than needed: 1. Size it right: Make sure the window air conditioner has the proper cooling power for the space. Rule of thumb: 20 British thermal units for every square foot of space. For example, a 350-square-foot bedroom is best served by a 7,000 Btu unit. A too-large unit will cycle on and off too frequently, and a too-small unit will constantly work harder to cool beyond its designed capacity - wasting energy in both cases. In addition, Consumer Reports advises: Add 10% Btu capacity for a sunny room, subtract 10% for shaded rooms For rooms often occupied by two or more people, add 600 Btu for each added person To cool a kitchen, add 4,000 Btu Users in dry, arid climates may benefit from an evaporative cooler, which uses less energy than a window-mounted air conditioner. 2.
Keeping Cool: Saving Energy While Beating the Heat
NORTHAMPTON, MA | ACCESSWIRE | September 27, 2022 | Edison International: By Ron Gales, ENERGIZED by Edison Writer Second in a three-part series. Part 1: Keeping Cool: 8 Tips for Air Conditioner Efficiency Many Southern California Edison residential and small business customers rely on window-mounted and portable indoor air conditioners to keep them cool during the summer. The energy these devices consume is a big factor in driving electric bills higher in the hot months. Here are tips for preventing these devices from using more energy than needed: 1. Size it right: Make sure the window air conditioner has the proper cooling power for the space. Rule of thumb: 20 British thermal units for every square foot of space. For example, a 350-square-foot bedroom is best served by a 7,000 Btu unit. A too-large unit will cycle on and off too frequently, and a too-small unit will constantly work harder to cool beyond its designed capacity - wasting energy in both cases. In addition, Consumer Reports advises: Add 10% Btu capacity for a sunny room, subtract 10% for shaded rooms For rooms often occupied by two or more people, add 600 Btu for each added person To cool a kitchen, add 4,000 Btu Users in dry, arid climates may benefit from an evaporative cooler, which uses less energy than a window-mounted air conditioner. 2.