What are the alternatives to air conditioning?

Just because you don't have a central air conditioning system in your home doesn't mean that you have to suffer though the sweltering summer heat. There are many ways to keep cool when the mercury starts to rise.

From a cheap fan to a fancy portable air conditioner, let's take at some energy efficient alternatives to traditional home air conditioning system

1. Portable Air Conditioners
Even if you have an HVAC system, portable air conditioners are a great way to keep cool and save money at the same time. Unlike a central air conditioning unit, a portable air conditioner allows you to cool a specific room rather than waste energy and money cooling your entire home-including all the unused rooms. Not only does this save you money on energy use, it allows you to keep your most-used rooms at the precise temperature you want.

2. Window Air Conditioners
As the name suggests, window air conditioners are cooling devices that are installed directly in your window, or through-the-wall depending on the type you buy. One of the main advantages to this type of air conditioner is that it doesn't take up any floor space. You install it once and you're done. It will vent through the back of the unit, which is the part sticking outside.

Window air conditioners are also extremely energy efficient. Much like portable air conditioners, window units allow you to cool one particular area of your home giving you an opportunity to save money on your energy bills. For maximum energy efficiency, you should consider an Energy Star rated unit, as there are many currently available to consumers.