Window Air ConditionersA window air conditioner can offer welcome relief on a hot day. Window units are an excellent choice for many homes because they're versatile and fairly easy to install.Before purchasing a window air conditioner, measure your window to ensure that you get the right size unit. Another factor to consider is your window's closing orientation. Many window air conditioners have side expansion panels to accommodate vertical windows, but you may have to build your own barriers if your window opens horizontally.It's also important to figure out how much cooling power you'll need. Determine the square footage of the room you want to cool, then figure out how many BTUs you'll need to cool your space.With Every Day Low Prices on air conditioners and other heating, cooling and air quality supplies, Walmart has you covered. The requested URL /~fixit/Caltech%20Off%20Campus%20A_C%20Information.htm was not found on this server. Rates effective 7/1/01 form the basis for these calculations.

City Light rates are structured to provide an initial block of inexpensive electricity to cover basic life needs such as cooking, hot water and refrigeration; a second block to cover additional needs of most users; and a higher-priced third block for large users. At rates in effect July 1, 2001, customers are billed $0.0372 per kWh for the first 300 kWh used per month (480 in winter). ac unit for dog houseCustomers are billed $0.0805 per kWh for second block use of 301-1800 kWh per month (481-3750 in winter). quiet central ac units reviewsCustomers are billed $0.1600 per kWh for third block use of all over 1800 kWh per month (3750 in winter).mini air conditioner unit uk The calculations in this table are based on the current second block rate of $0.0805 per kWh.

High users should substitute the third block rate in these calculations. Wattage figures may vary. Wattage is generally specified on the appliance. Call an Energy Advisor at 206.684.3800 or send email to for more ways to save energy in the home. for those who want to do their own math. We’ve all wondered this at some point, usually after coming home to a stifling house on a long, hot, summer day—do you really save energy by shutting off your air conditioner when you’re gone for the day, or is it better to just let it run at the same temperature setting all day long? Wasting energy not only costs you more money, it leads to more burning of coal and other fossil fuels that contribute to global climate change. We contacted Jennifer Thorne Amann, MES, buildings program director for the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), to help us figure it out. Related: What Southerners Taught Us About Keeping Houses Cool It may seem like a waste of energy to turn your air conditioner on and off, but doing so actually saves you a fair amount of money and helps your air conditioner work more efficiently, says Amann.

While it may seem like your unit has to work hard to cool a space down from 80 to 75 degrees, “air-conditioning systems run most efficiently when they’re running at full speed,” rather than running for shorter periods at a less powerful speed to maintain a constant temperature all day, Amman says. They’re also better able to dehumidify your house when they run at full blast, she adds. If you have central air, or a window unit with a thermostat, you can save energy and keep things from getting unbearably torrid by setting the thermostat higher. ACEEE estimates that air conditioners use three to five percent less energy for every degree you raise the thermostat. To get the best energy savings, leave your thermostat set at 78 degrees or higher while you’re out. Related: Signs You're Using Your Air Conditioner Wrong Here are a few other ways to stay cool and get better AC energy savings this summer: Buy a programmable thermostat. Whether you turn your central air off or turn its thermostat up when you’re out of the house, a programmable thermostat can crank up the cool factor before you get home.

That way your house will be comfortable when you walk in the door. Amann notes that you’ll need to buy a thermostat that suits both your cooling and your heating systems. Some models don’t work with heat pumps, which can pose a problem in the winter, so check with whoever installed or services your system. If you use a window unit, an appliance timer can serve a similar purpose and newer models may include a timer as well as a thermostat. Buy a ceiling fan. Fans don’t necessarily cool a room, but they move air across your skin, making you feel comfortable at a higher temperature. That allows you to set the thermostat higher and stay cool while using less energy. However, because it doesn’t reduce the temperature of a room, it’s a waste of energy to leave a ceiling fan on in the hopes that it will keep your house cooler while you’re gone.Large, shady bushes planted on the south and west sides of your house will reduce heat gain during the day.The easiest way to cool a house is to open a window, but not too much.

The less you open it, the more of a draft you’ll create, and it can also be a great natural air freshener by filling your home with pleasant fresh air. You can create cross breezes in a one-story house or a single room by cracking one window’s bottom sash and another’s top sash. If you live in a two-story house, open a window on the first floor a crack and another window upstairs on the opposite side of the house. Experiment to see which windows work best and how much you should open them. It’s important to think beyond the initial cost of appliances. Energy use over the years can be substantial, so it's important to invest in energy-efficient appliances.Shown below are the electric appliances and lighting options found in the average home. You can determine a "monthly cost estimate" by entering a number in the "quantity" field. Once you enter a quantity, the monthly cost associated with operating that appliance will appear in the "monthly cost" field. The total cost for all appliances you enter will be shown at the bottom of the worksheet.

All estimates are based on OPPD's current average kWh cost. Please note that assumptions have been made for each appliance regarding frequency of use, and how much electricity the appliance uses (watts.) Assumptions are the most important variables when determining operating costs and enable you to compare your appliance usage patterns and lifestyle choices. Your exact usage will most likely vary from the estimates shown, but the list is still useful in helping you identify which appliances have the greatest effect on your electric bill. Cooking, Refrigeration & Freezers Crock Pot (Slow Cooker) Dishwasher (with Dry Cycle) Electric Grill (Counter Top) Freezer - Upright or Chest-type Refrigerator - Small (Dorm style - compact model) Refrigerator - Medium size (Older model) Refrigerator - Medium size (Newer model) Refrigerator - Medium size (Newer Side by Side model) Older Television (Not a flat screen TV) Television - 42 inch - LCD (Watt range - 90 to 250W)

Television - 42 inch - Plasma (Watt range - 190 to 350W) Television - 52 inch - LCD (Watt range - 200 to 300W) Television - 54 inch - Plasma (Watt range - 250 to 550W) Television Cable Converter Box Video Game - XBox 360 Video Game - Sony Playstation 3 Slim (PS3)-120gb Video Game - Sony Playstation 3 (PS3)-60gb Humidifer - Cool Mist Humidifier - Warm Mist Medical Equipment - Nebulizer Medical Equipment - Oxygen Concentrator Air Conditioner (Window) - 5,000 BTU Air Conditioner (Window) - 7,000 BTU Air Conditioner (Window) - 10,000 BTU Heater - Portable - 750 Watt (Constant use as supplemental heat) Heater - Portable - 1,000 Watt (Constant use as supplemental heat) Heater - Portable - 1,500 Watt (Constant use as supplemental heat) Heating Cable - Roof - 6 Watt (Cost per 100 Ft.) Heating Cable - Water Pipes - 3 Watt (Cost per 25 Ft.) Water Heater (Electric) - Family of four Fish Tank (50 Gallon)

Dehumidifier - 40 pint Dehumidifier - 65 pint Heater - Auto Engine - 500 Watt Heater - Auto Engine - 1,000 Watt 9 to 13 watts - (Equivalent to a 40 watt incandescent bulb) 13 to 16 watts - (Equivalent to a 60 watt incandescent bulb) 17 to 23 watts - (Equivalent to a 75 watt incandescent bulb) 23 to 30 watts - (Equivalent to a 100 watt incandescent bulb) 30 to 55 watts - (Equivalent to a 150 watt incandescent bulb) 60 to 75 watt 6 to 9 watts 8 to 13 watts 16 to 20 watts 25 to 28 watts These Managing Energy Use tips can help you decrease the numbers above. These estimates are based on typical usage patterns for appliances and OPPD’s average annual kWh cost. Your actual operating costs may be higher or lower than those shown, depending on your usage patterns and lifestyle.The assumptions made for these appliance operating costs include hours of operation, appliances watt values and how long they run from one day to the next.