Green Cooling Options to Beat the Heat

As temps continue to rise this summer, people are looking to stay cool while remaining both financially responsible and dedicated to the preservation of Mother Earth. Here are a few cooling suggestions that are environmentally friendly as well as cost effective.

#1. Keep it Closed- The cheapest green option is to eliminate incoming energy. It may seem simple, but keeping your shades and curtains drawn during the day eliminates incoming heat. Rooms remain cool without taking a hit to the pocketbook as you turn down (or turn off!) your A/C to save power and money!

#2. Use What You Have- Some of you may have a furnace with a high efficiency fan setting ( also called an high efficiency air delivery system). This allows the current cooled air to be circulated throughout the home without using your air conditioner to create newly cooled air. Running your fan on a consistent basis is cheaper than using the A/C and will allow optimum comfort without drastically increasing costs. Furnace doesn’t have this setting? No worries! Most heating systems can have this option added/installed to current equipment.

#3. Cool Air but Still Warm? – Dry air is cooler air. If you own your home and have the space, a whole home dehumidifier is a great option! It will remove the humidity from the air which makes you feel more comfortable and allows you to run the A/C less. Keep in mind that installation of this system has a large up-front cost (average is $2,500-$5,000). However, over time, you will save money and increase your comfort.

You can stay comfortable in the summer by drinking more water (in a reusable bottle), dressing cooler (cotton options are best), limiting time in the sun, and utilizing building or mass transit that already produce cold air for patrons. Remember, research is best! Take the time to discover what works for you and your family while taking into account your monthly budget. Do your best to beat the heat, and before you know it, we will be talking about how to retain heat and stay warm. After all, Minnesota winters are surely on their way!

Green Tips

Buy Green Office Supplies

“Green” doesn’t necessarily mean “good” when it comes to so-called green office supplies. To help your office green up, consider durability, natural resource and energy use, recycled content and recyclability, toxicity, biodegradability and packaging before you purchase supplies. You can also set up a reuse system for the supplies you already have. For more tips on green office products, check out this article.

Green Your Laundry

Green laundry practices are good for the environment and for your wallet! Use cold water, wash only when clothes are dirty, line dry clothes year round, buy concentrated laundry detergent in refillable containers, use non-chlorine bleach, and purchase Energy Star appliances when possible.

Check out our full list of green laundry tips!

Unplug to Avoid Phantom Load

Did you know that you have electronics in your home leaking electricity—electricity that you pay for—24 hours a day, 7 days a week? The power drain is called “phantom load,” and it is a big problem with a simple solution.

The easiest strategy is to use power strips to cut the power to your electronics. When you turn off a power strip, it stops phantom load leaks. Start with your entertainment center and home office where you can find the biggest leaks: televisions, game consoles and computers. Make sure your power strip is located in an easy-to-reach place so you can easily turn it on or off. Set up a power strip as a charger station where your family can plug in all their cell phones, PDAs and music players. Most importantly…turn it off when you’re not using it!

Start a Recycling Program at Work

If your office doesn’t have a recycling program, consider being a catalyst for big change by starting one yourself. See our full list of tips on how to get started (including identifying a Recycling Coordinator and selecting a Recycling Company) in our article, Green Your Office.

Buy Reusable for Parties, Picnics & Holidays

Purchase durable, long lasting reusable items for serving and eating food such as silverware, glasses, bowls, mugs, plates, and cloth napkins. When you choose reusable over disposable, even if it costs more up front, it will save money and be less wasteful. Think about the amount of trash you can keep out of the landfill or the incinerator by choosing to reuse!

Check out our article on How to Plan a Low Waste Event for more ideas!

Learn from Minneapolis

The City of Minneapolis continues to be a national leader in reducing the impact of global warming on our planet. Minneapolis’ sustainability work is guided by 24 indicators that measure our progress at creating a sustainable future for our residents. Check out this article to learn about Minneapolis’ sustainability accomplishments and be inspired.

Start a Neighborhood Eco-Parent Group

We all want to do the best for our children, especially when it comes to protecting their health and the environment in which they live. Sometimes, knowing the most effective ways to do this can be confusing and challenging, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Consider starting an eco-parent group in your neighborhood to learn alongside other parents. This article offers some tips.

Host a Climate Café

Climate cafés are a relatively new offshoot of the café discussion movement, which takes its inspiration from philosophical discussion groups. These discussion cafés offer a venue for respectful public conversation on the challenging subjects facing us daily. You can host a discussion anywhere and get the climate conversation going. Interested? Check out this article.

Purchase Sustainable Lumber and Wood Products

Minnesota’s forests are vital to the state economy and environment. The Minnesota wood products industry provides employment to rural communities and serves markets throughout the world. As global trade in forest products grows, forest certification has emerged as a mechanism for consumers to identify wood products produced from sustainably managed forests. Nearly 50 different companies in Minnesota manufacture and market certified products. Retailers and distributors sell a variety of lumber, paneling, and decking products. Numerous local paper and printing companies also offer certified products.

More info here!

Start an Organics Recycling Program

Establishing an organics recycling program is a great way to reduce the amount of trash an organization or household disposes. Organics include all food waste and non-recyclable or food-soiled paper products and can make up approximately 25 percent of what we throw away. This article offers tips on how to start your own program.

How Our Food Choices Effect the Planet

How Our Food Choices Effect the Planet

Green Cooling Options to Beat the Heat

August 28, 2016

By Libby Bottem

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