Circulating air in an apartment will cool it down considerably, making it more comfortable and reducing you electric bill. If you do not have air conditioning in your apartment, or want to avoid using it most of the time, make use of the lower early morning and evening temperatures to stay cool. Using fans is the most efficient way to circulate air in an apartment.

Techniques

Open your windows after the sun goes down at night and allow the cooler breezes to circulate through your home. Circulate this cooler air with a fan. The larger your room, the bigger the fan needs to be to cool down the area. Focus on cooling the living room or den until it is time to go to bed. To adequately cool a 100-square-foot room, you will need a fan at least 36 inches in diameter, according to Energy Hawk.com. For a room with 225 square feet, the fan should be a minimum of 48 inches in diameter. If your living area is large (more than 400 square feet), invest in two fans. Crack bedroom windows open a few inches to allow air to flow throughout the apartment. If safety is a concern, secure your windows so that they cannot be opened further from the outside of the home. Safety devices for this purpose are available at a hardware or home supply stores. A box window fan effectively circulates cooler air throughout your apartment during the evening and the early morning hours. Place the box fan in a window. The intake should face the outside, blowing the warm air out of the apartment and drawing the cooler air inside through another open window. Ceiling fans also help keep your home cool. Adjust the fan blades so they rotate to pull the hot air upwards. During winter months, change the fan blade orientation so that the hot air is forced down. Utilizing fans at the same time as your air conditioner will allow you to set your thermostat 5 degrees higher than normal and achieve the same comfort level, according to the Home Energy Saver website. The fans do not use as much electricity and will help keep your electric bill down.

Source:

Home Energy Saver: Answer Desk

Energy Hawk: Fans, Fans and Window Fans

More Information:

Green Living Tips: Air Conditioning and Keeping Cool Indoors