Armageddon Online Forums

Quote:

The Benefits of Living in Harmony with Summer

It wasn't an easy shift initially. We gathered the family around the thermostat and, teary eyed, bade a fond farewell. I patted the small, plastic box one more time before moving the switch to the "off" position. The deed was done.

The first week or so was difficult. Our bodies began to slowly adjust to the temperature change. We ran fans, drank lots of water and groaned a lot. Yet, after the initial adjustment phase we found that there were benefits to living without air conditioning, even when it was 107 degrees outside.

1. We Are in Sync with the Seasons

You may not think too much about it but there was a time where almost everything a human being did was determined by the seasons. You planted in spring, weeded and worked in summer, harvestd in fall, and rested a bit in winter. There were winter clothes and summer clothes. Summer mornings were a flurry of activity so that you could be done before it got hot. Those sultry afternoons were often spent on the porch, doing some simple task that allowed you to stay cool. Benefit? Life happened at a slower pace.

2. The Kids Play Outside All Year

In Texas during the very hottest months most children end up on house arrest. When you spend most of your time at a cool 75 degrees, stepping out into the baking 98 degree afternoon is a shock to your system. We have found that rather than wanting to huddle around the television our kids were riding bikes, swinging on swings, fishing in the creek, or building forts. The fact that their systems were used to a higher temperature has allowed them to lead normal lives.

3. Turning Off the Air Conditioning is Budget Friendly

We are not a wealthy family. Sometimes it seems that the utility companies believe we are, though. By turning off the air conditioning we have been able to save money. People in our area with houses much smaller than ours can easily write out a check for over two hundred dollars every month.

4. We Are Moving toward Self Dependence

We are trying to eventually take our house off grid. Nonessential items like air conditioning hold us back from achieving that goal. When those famous Texas storms blow through and the electricity goes off other people may be panicked but we are quite comfortable.

Surviving without Air Conditioning in Dallas (or anywhere)

If you have never thought about trying to live without air conditioning, especially if you are living in the south or southwest, the idea may be a little foreign. Here are some tips to help you say goodbye to your air conditioning bills whether you live in Dallas, Texas or Terre Haute, Indiana.
Stay hydrated. Most people do not drink enough water. Drinking plenty of ice water will enable you to tolerate the heat safely.

Keep your windows open. Use fans to keep the air circulating. These use a fraction of the energy that an air conditioning unit does.

Choose a slower pace. Spend the afternoon on the porch with a good book and a glass of ice water or herbal tea.

Wear natural fabrics like cotton, bamboo, and linen.

Wear light colors and loose clothing.

Go barefoot.

Soak your feet in cool water.

If it is very hot at night bathe in cool water and go to bed without drying yourself off.

Use the outdoor grill, eat cold salads, and do your cooking early in the day. You can use the grill for almost anything, including bread and pizza.

The dryer is another appliance that will really heat your house up. Hang your clothes outside to dry if possible.

Consider enjoying all of that fresh produce that summer offers and cutting back on meats and proteins. Your body will stay cooler.

An ice cold beer might sound great but the alcohol will act as a diuretic and you can become dehydrated and hotter.

Change to eco-friendly LED or CFL lightbulbs. They give off less heat.

If you have a creek, pond, or pool spend some time in the water.

Consider installing a solar powered attic fan to pull the hot air out of the house.

Paint your house a light color. If you are planning on installing a new roof, a light colored shingle will help as well.

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/hom...ing-texas.html

Quote:

Living in 90 degree weather with over 70 percent humidity the past few days has not been easy here in rural Nebraska. Hearing others complain about it only makes it worse -- especially knowing that they probably have air-conditioning. My family and I have gone without it the past two summers, and I have learned a thing or two about foregoing a very expensive luxury that most people really can live without.

Why would anyone want to go without the AC? Well, it is becoming more costly each year, and some people really can't afford it. Many just choose not to. Think of all that extra electric bill money put towards vacation, credit card debt, or even a nice vacation!

The key to surviving hot, sticky summers without cool air really has been about adjustment. When I am home all day, taking care of my children, working out in the yard, and not going into places with air-conditioning, I don't even notice much how hot it can get. Your body adjusts to a certain level of heat, and it does what it can to keep you cool. Drinking plenty of liquids, staying in the shade, and avoiding the outdoors during the hottest hours are key to staying safe. Do not go into places with air-conditioning if you can help it, and don't run it in your vehicle. You won't miss what you can't experience. Remember back in the 70's when almost no one had air-conditioning? We survived then, and we can now.

If you are diligent about taking steps every day to keep your house cool, it is possible to maintain a nightime low temperature during most of the daytime hours. First thing in the morning, shut up the house by closing all windows and doors. Cover every window with a shade or heavy drape (heavy quilts work nicely, too!) If you have control over your outside landscaping, look into planting trees or shrubs that will product shade onto the sunniest sides of your home.

Use heat and electricity sparingly in your home during the day. Cook outside if possible (food tastes better on the BBQ anyway.) Dry clothes outside on the line, and run a fan or vent while showering. Keep lights turned off in rooms you aren't using. Use ceiling fans in a counter-clockwise direction to cool rooms easily.

Once the sun goes down, open all windows to let in the cool air. Certain rooms will be cooler due to airflow and insulation, and these are the best rooms to sleep in. My family likes to sleep in the living room because it has the best night breeze. The children call it "camping" and it really has been a fun experience.

Because of our decision to go without air-conditioning, we can expect to save $65-150 a month on our electric bill. With a little dedication and cooperation from everyone in your household, you can too!

http://www.wisebread.com/living-with...ks-this-summer