"Fall Back" Your Fans!

We're all aware that it's time to "fall back" when it comes to changing our clocks. But while "falling back" is fresh in your mind, consider switching your ceiling fans, too.

Reversing your fans to spin counter-clockwise helps draw the warm air down. TreeHugger reports that "if you reverse the direction of your fan, you can lower the thermostat on your heating/cooling unit by at least 5 degrees without losing comfort." That's quite a bit!

Just like using fans to keep cool in the hot months, using fans to keep warm in the winter is more efficient than using central heat/air. Instead of controlling the temperature in all the rooms in your house (including those you don't spend any time in like guest rooms, closets, and formal dining rooms), you are concentrating your energy usage where it's actually helpful.

So flip the switch on your fans now...or, if you're living in Florida and it's still 90 degrees out, just keep this tip in mind for January. Haha.

Chiles to keep you chilly?

Looking for ways to keep cool in the Southern summer? Well, here's a slightly unconventional yet environmentally-friendly idea: spicy foods.

Green is Sexy's article "Hot, Hot, Hot" says, "Have you ever noticed that the spiciest foods come from some of the warmest places? ... Chiles contain a sweat-inducing chemical compound called capsaicin. When you sweat, your body is cooling itself down and when that sweat evaporates, you get a natural feeling of relief."

Thai, Indian, and many Latin American foods are known for their use of chiles. So pair some spicy food with an evening breeze or your overhead fan, and you've got a cool night ahead!

Cool your ride

There are many environmental considerations you need to keep in mind about your vehicles and driving. In this article, however, we are only going to look at cooling your vehicle -- a very timely topic as summer approaches!

Question: Should I be using air conditioning or opening my windows to cool my car?
Answer: Depends on how fast you're going!
~Driving around town: Definitely windows down. Whereas using the AC decreases your vehicle's fuel efficiency by up to 20% at all speeds, "drag" reducing your mileage from having your windows down while driving around town is not a concern.
~Driving on the Interstate: AC. Drag does start to have a role in this decision when you are traveling at high speeds. At 45 mph +, the reduction in efficiency can be up to 10%. At 55 mph, 20%. So be sure not to speed regardless!
[More information about this abounds on the Internet. One source is here though, another here.]

At all speeds, however, it is better to do neither. How do we, especially in the South, pull this off?

Question: How can I keep my parked car cooler?
Answer: Prevent your car from heating up so much in the first place! Always use a sun visor/screen in your windshield. They're also available for side and back windows at lots of places (AutoZone, etc.) Also, make a better effort to park under trees or otherwise in the shade. It makes a big difference too.

Question: What should I look for when buying a new vehicle?
Answer: Color! The lighter the color of your car, the better for reducing solar heat gain. You want as close to white as possible. (Luckily, in America white is the most popular car color, with silver in third place.) Also, look for improvements in the glass used for vehicle windows in the near future. Or consider tinted windows. For more info, read this.