Breathe Magazine

 Yesterday was hot, Africa Hot as we say in our family. And of course it was the day that we decided to have an energy audit of our home. Now, if you haven’t had an energy audit, I highly recommend the process but that is a topic for another blog. Today, I want to talk about the heat.

See, I try very hard to live without air conditioning at home. Doesn’t matter what time of the year, although in the winter it is easier. And of course, when we closed up the house, it got hot inside. Really Hot, Africa Hot. So, we had to make a decision when the energy provider left – do we turn on the air conditioning or do we go without?

Part of the reason we try to live without air conditioning is because of the energy savings. No surprise that the compressors use a TON of electricity. So given my green leanings, saving energy is a big driver for me.

But really the reason I try to go without the air conditioning is because we tend to stay inside when we have the A/C running. It’s cool inside, its hard to go back and forth when your body isn’t acclimated to the hot air. So think about that impact – in the months when we have warm weather to enjoy, we close ourselves up inside to get away from the heat.

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t live without your A/C, because I live in a house with lots of great shading so this choice is easier for me. What I am saying, though, is in green, it’s a good practice to think about the unintended consequences of the choices we make. For example, if I make an effort to buy locally grown produce will I end up eating a fresher and more diverse diet? Or if I support the local store owner in my town will they in-turn support my child’s sports team?

The best part of the green life is that we actually aren’t giving things up, we experiences more positives through unintended consequences!

Read more of my posts at www.EasyBeingGreen.Info