That Cool Blast of AC Is Not So Cool for the Planet. What Can You Do?

(Fotosearch)

Enlarge Photo

Discussion Policy

Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.

· Keep your air conditioner's coils clean, and change filters regularly. Install units on the north side of your home if possible; the sun is less intense there, and a unit operating in the shade uses 10 percent less electricity, according to the Energy Department.

· Seek out appliances with the Energy Star seal. If your AC unit is more than a few years old, the energy savings of a more efficient model are likely to outweigh the energy used to produce the appliance. (To recycle the old one, call your county household hazardous waste service.)

· Contact your power company about switching to renewable-energy credits. This will allocate your monthly energy payment to investment in wind or other clean-energy sources. It may not absolve you of all guilt, but it certainly can't hurt.

-- Eviana Hartman

< 2