The Case for Fans vs. Air Conditioners in NYC As a recent convert to the fan-centric lifestyle, I’m prepared to go on record and say yes: you can survive the summer in New York City without air conditioning. Skeptics, hold your fire! There are a few salient points that may help you become a fan of the fan:Have you ever tried to install a window-unit air conditioner by yourself? Or had to carry it up and down multiple flights of stairs while moving? I hope your back has recovered. Fans are lighter, quieter, and need far less maintenance than an AC unit.Fans are smaller than air conditioners, and therefore much easier to store during the winter when they’re not in use. In a small space, especially a room with only one window, an AC can be an eyesore, and prevents you from being able to open the window on beautiful summer days. (Source: etccdb via Flickr Creative Commons)Although there are plenty of high-end fans out there, stores like the Home Depot and PC Richards have plenty of options under $100.

The Lasko cyclone standing fan goes for $32.96 and gets great reviews. AC units also vary greatly in price, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find one below $100. At Home Depot, you can expect to pay anywhere between $129 to $299 for a unit. Fans are easy on your electric bill. On average, a window-unit air conditioner will cost about 14 cents an hour to run, whereas a fan costs about 1 cent every three hours. That breaks down to $50.40 per month for an AC, and $1.20 per month for a ceiling fan. One word: the environment. About 25% of all electricity consumed at home in the United States is to power AC units, and most of that electricity comes from carbon rich coal. AC units release about 100 million tons of carbon dioxide into the environment every year. It may seem counterintuitive, but you should turn off the AC when the nights keep getting hotter. The earth will thank you. Listen, I’m not a monster: I understand that some people simply can’t sleep in a room when it gets hot.

There are good reasons why an AC would make more sense than a fan: if you are trying to cool down a large space, like your living room, an air conditioner may be the only way to do that effectively. And rooms that get a lot of direct sunlight, no matter how small they are, might also need more cooling power than a fan can provide. There are pros and cons to both, but let’s face it: if the weather in New York continues to be as erratic as it has been this summer, there may be fewer days in the future when an AC unit will feel absolutely necessary. Hacks for Living in NYC on a Tight Budget Got a Tiny Bedroom? How to Make the Most of Your Space When is the Best Time to Rent in NYC?The average homeowner spends about $375 on air conditioning. Here's how to slash your summer energy bills without sacrificing too much comfort.1. Don't just set it and forget it. If you have central air controlled by a thermostat, use a programmable thermostat to save energy by turning the desired temperature up during the day when the house is empty.

You can give up a couple degrees at night, too — especially on the hottest days. You may be surprised to find that the contrast between outdoor and indoor temperatures matters as much as the absolute temperature inside your home. When home, aim to set the temperature at 78 degrees to balance comfort with energy and cost savings. Together with winter energy savings, a programmable thermostat used properly can save the average home up to $150 a year.2. Clean the air filter. Whether you have central air or a window unit, a dirty filter will reduce your AC's efficiency, making it use more energy. central ac unit weightCheck your HVAC system's air filter monthly and expect to change the filter every three months.3. cost of a 1 ton ac unitGet an annual checkup.ac unit financing with bad credit

If you have central air, bring in a pro to check it out — once per year should cover both the heating and the cooling season. A professional should be able to diagnose any inefficiencies before you've wasted money on monthly heating and cooling bills.4. Cooling one room with a window air conditioning unit requires much less energy (and investment) than a whole central air system for your house. Ask yourself how you'll use your new air conditioner, and choose the smallest option that works. Use our calculator to help choose the right air conditioner for your space.5. Whether you're buying a central air conditioner (which could qualify for a tax credit) or a room unit, efficiency matters. An Energy Star central air system will use about 14% less energy than minimum government standards, and a room air conditioner will save at least 10%.NEXT: 8 Ways to Keep Cool Without Air Conditioning »Photo: SuperStock/Getty 25 Products That Come With a Lifetime Guarantee You're Wasting a Ton of Money on Premium Gas, According to AAA

[UPDATED]: Kmart Is Closing 64 More Stores — and Putting Everything on Sale Wells Fargo Owes Its Customers Millions of Dollars After a Massive Scandal Make Sure You Check Your Receipt After You Pay With Your Credit Card Chip Costco Is Selling Seriously Cheap Annual Disney Park Passes The 9 Most Expensive Barbies of All Time People Keep Mistaking Doll Chairs for Human Ones on Amazon, and the Reviews Are Hilarious 5 Major Deals You're Going to Want to Hit This Weekend Sneaky Apple Email Scam Steals Bank Info Heating & Air Conditioning Repair Service. Nobody likes surprises, especially when it comes to money. At Knight Heating & Air Conditioning: We treat our customers the way we like to be treated. We provide up front, honest information about what you can expect in regards to repair costs. You won’t know if your air conditioning unit has a minor or major problem until we diagnose it for you. Air Conditioning Repair Costs in the Branson — Springfield, MO Area