Keeping your cool: Ways to beat the heat indoors this summer – KPVI News 6

Trying to sleep through a sizzling summer night isnt easy merely thinking cool thoughts doesnt cut it. Many of us have undersized air conditioners that arent used to running day in and day out as they have been lately. Trying to stay comfortable in heat waves takes a concerted effort, one that may need to be multifaceted.

Window air conditioning units and portable air conditioners are options worth considering. Window units can often be plugged into a standard outlet as long as the circuit is not shared by another major appliance. If the required amperage is over 7 amps, it is best the unit is on its own dedicated circuit.

Portable units are perfect for a garage or rental where a more permanent solution isnt available. If there is another way to cool, however, use it portable units are the loudest and least efficient way to cool.

Ideally, a portable or window a/c unit should be placed close enough to an outlet to allow the cord to reach, but if you need immediate relief, you can use a short, extra heavy-duty 12-gauge extension cord specifically designed for major appliances (not an extension cord you pick up from the local drug store). Even the right extension cord is only to be used for a few hours at a time and is designed for temporary use only.

Portable air conditioner units are perfect for a garage or rental where a more permanent solution isnt available.

Remember the old ceiling fans wobbly and noisy, lying under them at night praying they dont fall on you? Todays ceiling fans are different theyre sturdy and quiet and come in trendy styles, such as propeller blades and painted drum shades, and an array of materials, from traditional wood to brushed aluminum. Not only that, but ceiling fans are one of the few appliances whose installation will save you money upwards of 15 percent off your energy costs.

When it comes to ceiling fans, the more blades the better, right? Wrong. In fact, ceiling fans with fewer blades create less drag on the motor, allowing it to spin faster and move air more efficiently. The downside of fewer blades is it might create more ambient noise.

Whats most important in a ceiling fan is the strength of its motor. Ceiling fan motors range from 1/60 to 1/3 horsepower. A higher-power motor will meet the demands of the resisting blades and be less prone to overheating.

Want to climb out of the box completely? Opt for a bladeless ceiling fan. Because of its innovative design, a bladeless ceiling fan can produce stronger and more even airflow while consuming less electricity than a typical ceiling fan. These fans are especially good for rooms with low ceilings.

Whole house fans are another energy efficient cooling option that are perfect for areas where the nights cool down. These fans run at night, pulling cool air through a few open windows and venting hot air out through the attic.

Swapping a light for a ceiling fan wont have much of an electrical impact but installing a central air conditioning system or even a window unit might. Any time you add a major appliance, like a hot tub or an air conditioner, you need to make sure your electrical system can handle the increased load.

If you employ a fair amount of power strips and extension cords in your home, you are probably using more electricity than your panel was designed to offer. Lights dimming or flickering, breakers tripping, buzzing and crackling noises coming from your electrical panel, or your panel feeling warm to the touch are all signs your electrical system is maxed out.

Your electrical service and panel are key to your cooling options. Your electrical service is the strength of the electrical current fed into your panel from the citys grid. Your electrical panel then disperses this electricity through your home via circuits protected by breakers. Todays homes use a lot more electricity than they did even 20 years ago, so the service and panel of an older home may need to be replaced if youre considering adding new air conditioning appliances.

Jeff Stock is the owner of Elk Ridge Electric in Billings.

Jeff Stock is the owner of Elk Ridge Electric.

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Keeping your cool: Ways to beat the heat indoors this summer - KPVI News 6