| "I just don't understand them! Everyday I'm | | | | If air is blocked with dust that gets |
| telling the boys, 'Turn off the a/c when you | | | | collected, the unit can't breathe. This makes |
| leave the room.' They just don't listen! Last | | | | it work harder. Here's a helpful reminder: |
| month our bill was almost $300!" She threw | | | | whenever the electric bill comes make that |
| her hands up in complete exasperation. | | | | the day to clean or change your filters and |
| | | | spray the coils. |
| Unfortunately, this is one of the most common | | | | |
| complaints. Kids want to do the right thing, | | | | - The best air conditioners are those that |
| but without an understanding of why this so | | | | fit your room. A unit that's too small for |
| important, it will not be the first thing | | | | the area will work too hard, never feel cool |
| that pops in their minds. | | | | enough, and will skyrocket your electric |
| | | | bill! |
| I live in Thailand where air conditioners are | | | | |
| as necessary as bottled water. Here we have | | | | - Consider Energy-Star rated units. A |
| 360 days of hot, sticky weather and we are | | | | 5-rating is the most energy-efficient. |
| truly grateful to the Cooling Gods. | | | | |
| | | | - So, how to get the kids to help? Get them |
| However, as the days get hotter, more people | | | | involved. Have them check out global warming |
| are demanding comfort. The CFCs from air | | | | and its effects to their planet. Make it a |
| conditioners are pollutants that destroy the | | | | family project and support their ideas. Let |
| ozone molecules. This thins the ozone layer | | | | them know they can be action heroes whenever |
| allowing more ultraviolet (UV) rays to enter | | | | they take small steps to create a better |
| our atmosphere. This is what causes global | | | | world. |
| warming. This extra heat creates more demand | | | | |
| for a/c! | | | | I'm very lucky to teach high school science |
| | | | in Bangkok. I assigned a project for their |
| Now, I'm not suggesting throwing out your air | | | | final grade: research and create Power Point |
| conditioners or making them illegal and | | | | presentations about global warming. |
| banning them from Earth forever...well...No, | | | | |
| but there are a few things you and your | | | | One day, while working in my office, two of |
| family can do to help save the world and | | | | my students came in to chat. One student |
| teach kids how to save money on electric. | | | | reminded me that if I keep the curtains |
| | | | closed it will keep the sun out and then I |
| - Compliment your cooling needs with ceiling | | | | wouldn't need to use so much air |
| fans and/or floor fans. This will distribute | | | | conditioning. They quickly closed the |
| and help circulate the cooler air more | | | | curtains, changed the a/c temperature and |
| efficiently. | | | | bowed with respect as they left. All I could |
| | | | do is smile. |
| - Clean the filters and coils once a month. | | | | |