Comments on: The Heat Yer Buns Challenge… http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2010/04/the-heat-yer-buns-challenge/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-heat-yer-buns-challenge Save Money. Save the Environment. Be Happy. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:01:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: CJhttp://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2010/04/the-heat-yer-buns-challenge/#comment-13479 CJ Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:57:44 +0000 http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/?p=2934#comment-13479 Hey Great to find this - we have a 2nd home in the Bahamas where EVERYONE has ac - we built our house to catch the breezes, have fans and yeah it gets hot - but the ocean is there, can sleep with the doors open and listen to the waves - so not installing ac and guess we get a gold star! Hey

Great to find this – we have a 2nd home in the Bahamas where EVERYONE has ac – we built our house to catch the breezes, have fans and yeah it gets hot – but the ocean is there, can sleep with the doors open and listen to the waves – so not installing ac and guess we get a gold star!

]]> By: Catherine Chandlerhttp://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2010/04/the-heat-yer-buns-challenge/#comment-13326 Catherine Chandler Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:22:34 +0000 http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/?p=2934#comment-13326 I'm joining in on this....we'll probably be at the silver or bronze level, mostly because my partner "runs warm" as it is, and gets insanely hot in the summer. Luckily, in Portland, we only have a handful of 100+ days and the rest are at the 90's or lower (mostly 80's). This summer's been slow to start, so we've not had heating or a/c on at all and I revel in our lower electric bills. However, this week heats up FAST taking a 10 degree jump by tomorrow. I'm not going to mention the A/C to my partner, in hopes he won't break it out too quick. In all his earnest cooling interests, we now have two window A/C's, which he loves and I tolerate. During the summer we do a dance of him turning them on, me turning them off, back and forth back and forth. This summer, I'm insisting on less A/C and more fans. I want to get some vintage fans this weekend (I like to buy used/vintage to lower my footprint) and hopefully he'll be on board. I’m joining in on this….we’ll probably be at the silver or bronze level, mostly because my partner “runs warm” as it is, and gets insanely hot in the summer. Luckily, in Portland, we only have a handful of 100+ days and the rest are at the 90′s or lower (mostly 80′s). This summer’s been slow to start, so we’ve not had heating or a/c on at all and I revel in our lower electric bills. However, this week heats up FAST taking a 10 degree jump by tomorrow. I’m not going to mention the A/C to my partner, in hopes he won’t break it out too quick. In all his earnest cooling interests, we now have two window A/C’s, which he loves and I tolerate. During the summer we do a dance of him turning them on, me turning them off, back and forth back and forth.

This summer, I’m insisting on less A/C and more fans. I want to get some vintage fans this weekend (I like to buy used/vintage to lower my footprint) and hopefully he’ll be on board.

]]> By: Jacquiehttp://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2010/04/the-heat-yer-buns-challenge/#comment-13090 Jacquie Wed, 02 Jun 2010 22:31:21 +0000 http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/?p=2934#comment-13090 This is awesome! I used to live in Phoenix with my parents before moving to school, but even in the dead hot of summer (sometimes even past 120 degrees F!!) my mom always insisted that the A/C never be turned up higher than a certain point (which I can't remember at the moment). And when no one was home, it was off. Yes, it was a little crazy at times, because it was SO HOT, and our friends didn't want to come to our house to play (haha), but we survived... And saved $ and the earth at the same time. I didn't really mind it, actually. And now, I have moved up north, where this past winter, we got almost 5 feet of snow! Guess what - I have turned into my mother! We (my roommates & I) decided to see how long we could go without turning on the heat this winter... Well, it is now summer and we are still going! That's right, we NEVER turned it on... And somehow, our apartment was always a pleasant temperature. Don't know how we did it, but we sure saved a lot of green!! We haven't touched the thermostat in a year, and we're looking forward to continue to ignore that thing! This is awesome! I used to live in Phoenix with my parents before moving to school, but even in the dead hot of summer (sometimes even past 120 degrees F!!) my mom always insisted that the A/C never be turned up higher than a certain point (which I can’t remember at the moment). And when no one was home, it was off. Yes, it was a little crazy at times, because it was SO HOT, and our friends didn’t want to come to our house to play (haha), but we survived… And saved $ and the earth at the same time. I didn’t really mind it, actually. And now, I have moved up north, where this past winter, we got almost 5 feet of snow! Guess what – I have turned into my mother! We (my roommates & I) decided to see how long we could go without turning on the heat this winter… Well, it is now summer and we are still going! That’s right, we NEVER turned it on… And somehow, our apartment was always a pleasant temperature. Don’t know how we did it, but we sure saved a lot of green!! We haven’t touched the thermostat in a year, and we’re looking forward to continue to ignore that thing!

]]> By: Christiehttp://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2010/04/the-heat-yer-buns-challenge/#comment-12930 Christie Tue, 11 May 2010 20:34:05 +0000 http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/?p=2934#comment-12930 We decided to take the challenge at the Bronze level (live in AZ, can't really survive otherwise!). We have increased the thermostat to 84 during the day and 83 at night. We had 95 degree temps this weekend and managed to spend the whole weekend (sleeping not included) without the A/C on. And it really wasn't hard at all. As long as the fans are on and we are not too active, you don't really even notice. Now ask me again when it's 115 outside and I'm sure you'll get a different answer. I can't wait to see how/if this affects our electric bill this summer. Thanks for the motivation! We decided to take the challenge at the Bronze level (live in AZ, can’t really survive otherwise!). We have increased the thermostat to 84 during the day and 83 at night. We had 95 degree temps this weekend and managed to spend the whole weekend (sleeping not included) without the A/C on. And it really wasn’t hard at all. As long as the fans are on and we are not too active, you don’t really even notice. Now ask me again when it’s 115 outside and I’m sure you’ll get a different answer.

I can’t wait to see how/if this affects our electric bill this summer. Thanks for the motivation!

]]> By: Melanie Bickhamhttp://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2010/04/the-heat-yer-buns-challenge/#comment-12778 Melanie Bickham Sat, 24 Apr 2010 06:11:06 +0000 http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/?p=2934#comment-12778 First let me start by saying, I am up for the challange, I am going for the gold. Next to the people that live in the"deep south" and to the ones in Texas, I am a born and breed Texan, Have been here 30+ years since my birth. My grandmothers house that I grew up in didn't have A/C, and Yes before you say it I know the summers have gotten hotter here, but still... My family and I have gone without A/C for the past 2 summers, and no before you ask I do not live in the panhandle regions, i live in the Mid-south region of Texas about an hour from the DFW area. We get hot here, but since we are outside most of the time it doesn't affect us as badly. Other than the lower electric bills, which by the way got my first official "spring/summer" bill today and guess what less than a hundred dollars, that is with a septic system, computers, appliances, and kids that can't remember to turn off lights. I am betting that it will be even lower as the summer progresses. Oh and by the way we don't us A/C in our cars either. First let me start by saying, I am up for the challange, I am going for the gold. Next to the people that live in the”deep south” and to the ones in Texas, I am a born and breed Texan, Have been here 30+ years since my birth. My grandmothers house that I grew up in didn’t have A/C, and Yes before you say it I know the summers have gotten hotter here, but still… My family and I have gone without A/C for the past 2 summers, and no before you ask I do not live in the panhandle regions, i live in the Mid-south region of Texas about an hour from the DFW area. We get hot here, but since we are outside most of the time it doesn’t affect us as badly. Other than the lower electric bills, which by the way got my first official “spring/summer” bill today and guess what less than a hundred dollars, that is with a septic system, computers, appliances, and kids that can’t remember to turn off lights. I am betting that it will be even lower as the summer progresses. Oh and by the way we don’t us A/C in our cars either.

]]> By: Compromisedhttp://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2010/04/the-heat-yer-buns-challenge/#comment-12767 Compromised Wed, 21 Apr 2010 13:29:07 +0000 http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/?p=2934#comment-12767 My family suffers from SEVERE environmental allergies. We can not open our windows all year for fear of asthma attacks, hives, or facial swelling. We have found that insulated curtains or shades are a huge help keeping the cool in. We keep the ceiling fans on high and the air conditioning around 79. We have a Southern exposure so we get a lot of sun. During the day we keep all the blinds closed. On the days I just need to see a little light I adjust my wooden blinds to allow light but reflect the direct sun. We also moved all the toys to the basement which is naturally cool. We live in an extremely humid area and have found these things help a great deal. We also grill all our food so the oven doesn't heat the house. We'll also crockpot to reduce heating the house. My family suffers from SEVERE environmental allergies. We can not open our windows all year for fear of asthma attacks, hives, or facial swelling. We have found that insulated curtains or shades are a huge help keeping the cool in. We keep the ceiling fans on high and the air conditioning around 79. We have a Southern exposure so we get a lot of sun. During the day we keep all the blinds closed. On the days I just need to see a little light I adjust my wooden blinds to allow light but reflect the direct sun. We also moved all the toys to the basement which is naturally cool. We live in an extremely humid area and have found these things help a great deal. We also grill all our food so the oven doesn’t heat the house. We’ll also crockpot to reduce heating the house.

]]> By: queenstusshttp://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2010/04/the-heat-yer-buns-challenge/#comment-12765 queenstuss Wed, 21 Apr 2010 02:20:26 +0000 http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/?p=2934#comment-12765 Wow, I think our electricity costs us around 15c per kWh! We pay $180 per quarter, plus hot water which is on a cheaper tariff! We live in the tropics, so we have higher bills during summer because we run the fans all day and night, but we also have a weeks straight of rain where I just can't avoid using the dryer. Wow, I think our electricity costs us around 15c per kWh! We pay $180 per quarter, plus hot water which is on a cheaper tariff!
We live in the tropics, so we have higher bills during summer because we run the fans all day and night, but we also have a weeks straight of rain where I just can’t avoid using the dryer.

]]> By: heatherhttp://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2010/04/the-heat-yer-buns-challenge/#comment-12761 heather Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:30:15 +0000 http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/?p=2934#comment-12761 @queenstuss- Our bills come monthly, not quarterly, here in the States. We're paying $10 per month during the summer months, which would come to around $30 or a bit more per quarter. And we pay around .09 cents per kWh. Thanks for your question! :) @queenstuss- Our bills come monthly, not quarterly, here in the States. We’re paying $10 per month during the summer months, which would come to around $30 or a bit more per quarter. And we pay around .09 cents per kWh. Thanks for your question! :)

]]> By: heatherhttp://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2010/04/the-heat-yer-buns-challenge/#comment-12760 heather Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:27:00 +0000 http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/?p=2934#comment-12760 Hi Everyone, Thanks to everyone for writing in about this! Sorry it's taken me so long to respond; I've been away visiting my family in Louisiana and just got in late last night. @Melissa- I know that people all over the world read this blog. And I'm aware that not everyone lives in a climate where turning off the A/C entirely is feasible or comfortable. But, let me say this...I grew up in Louisiana, and my family lives there still. When I was growing up there were many afternoons and nights that I turned off the A/C (it was always too cold for me!) and felt just fine with open windows and fans. When my dad was growing up (in Louisiana) his house had no A/C at all. We've talked about it at length and while he remembers the summers being hot, it wasn't unbearable. This is because the houses, back then, were designed to be cool without A/C. There was cross ventilation, high ceilings, fans, and plenty of shade trees. Plus, people spent more time outdoors anyway. I think we've become so accustomed to being "comfortable" that we've lost the ability to thrive in temperatures past 80 degrees. I know not everyone can, or has the desire, to cut off their A/C. Especially the sick and the elderly. I simply wrote this post to give everyone a chance to think about the alternative of using less, or turning it off entirely. Hi Everyone,

Thanks to everyone for writing in about this! Sorry it’s taken me so long to respond; I’ve been away visiting my family in Louisiana and just got in late last night.

@Melissa- I know that people all over the world read this blog. And I’m aware that not everyone lives in a climate where turning off the A/C entirely is feasible or comfortable.

But, let me say this…I grew up in Louisiana, and my family lives there still. When I was growing up there were many afternoons and nights that I turned off the A/C (it was always too cold for me!) and felt just fine with open windows and fans. When my dad was growing up (in Louisiana) his house had no A/C at all. We’ve talked about it at length and while he remembers the summers being hot, it wasn’t unbearable.

This is because the houses, back then, were designed to be cool without A/C. There was cross ventilation, high ceilings, fans, and plenty of shade trees. Plus, people spent more time outdoors anyway.

I think we’ve become so accustomed to being “comfortable” that we’ve lost the ability to thrive in temperatures past 80 degrees.

I know not everyone can, or has the desire, to cut off their A/C. Especially the sick and the elderly. I simply wrote this post to give everyone a chance to think about the alternative of using less, or turning it off entirely.

]]> By: Jenniferhttp://www.thegreenestdollar.com/2010/04/the-heat-yer-buns-challenge/#comment-12756 Jennifer Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:36:06 +0000 http://www.thegreenestdollar.com/?p=2934#comment-12756 I live in North Carolina, where we've already had two days over ninety degrees (granted, it was in that freak heat wave two weeks ago)... Air conditioning is pretty important here at least three months out of the year--particularly with high humidity, when it can cause mold growth!--but we do keep it set above 76 degrees (usually 78) and use ceiling fans upstairs. I live in North Carolina, where we’ve already had two days over ninety degrees (granted, it was in that freak heat wave two weeks ago)… Air conditioning is pretty important here at least three months out of the year–particularly with high humidity, when it can cause mold growth!–but we do keep it set above 76 degrees (usually 78) and use ceiling fans upstairs.

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