Air Conditioner Vs. Opening the Windows
The decision to install air conditioners or open your windows to cool your home in the summer may be made from a financial or philosophical standpoint. Those who favor natural and frugal cooling solutions may wish to open windows as opposed to more electric appliances. Consumers who suffer from breathing problems or allergies may choose air conditioners for the controlled living environment the devices provide. Does this Spark an idea?
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A Cheap Cooling Solution
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The air trapped inside your house can actually be much hotter than the temperature outside. According to MSN Money Central, opening your windows can be a cheap and effective means of dissipating all that trapped hot air. Even airflow as slow as 1 mph can make your home feels three to four times cooler. Putting a tray of ice on a window sill can cool the natural breeze through your home even further, all without the use of electricity.
Heat Absorption
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Windows are one of the areas of your home that absorb sunlight throughout the day and cause the temperature inside the house to rise. Opening your windows helps prevent heat absorption. An air conditioner may cool a room down, but it won't help with your home's heat absorption, which may mean your air conditioner has to work harder to keep a room of your house cool, leading to a larger electric bill.
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Fighting Seasonal Allergies
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Air conditioners have an advantage over open windows when it comes to air filtration. Air conditioners can filter out allergens such as pollen and keep them from entering your home, which is a necessity for those who suffer from seasonal allergies. Air conditioners with properly cleaned filters can keep a home cool and free from outside allergens that could otherwise cause a general sinus catastrophe for the summer months.
Some Climates Need Air Conditioning
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Homes in some weather climates, like the Southwestern U.S., all but require air conditioners to maintain cooler temperatures in dangerous summer weather. Temperatures in states like Arizona and New Mexico can routinely reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the day in the summer. In such temperatures simply opening the windows won't be helpful in lowering the home temperature to a safe level.
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References
- Photo Credit windows image by christophe morgado from Fotolia.com
