Waukesha County Home

Dear Jim: We have central air-conditioning. It seems wasteful to cool the entire house when just we two are home. Is using a portable air conditioner in various rooms more efficient overall? — Sean K. Dear Sean: Natural ventilation is the most efficient cooling. In many climates though, such as hot, dry areas or humid areas, it is just too uncomfortable without some type of cooling. A swamp cooler, which relies on evaporative cooling, is the most economical cooling source in hot, dry climates. In most other regions, a stan- dard refrigeration-cycle air conditioner design is typically used. Using a portable or window air conditioner is a good idea espe- cially when you and your wife are going to be in the same room for an extended time. This also is effective even with central air-con- ditioning. Even though the SEER efficiency of a central air condi- tioner is generally higher than the EER efficiency of a portable or window model, using them can save money overall. Run the portable or window air conditioner to cool just a fre- quently used room or two to the comfortable cool temperature you desire. Raise the temperature setting on the wall thermostat for the central air conditioner four or five degrees higher than nor- mal. Doing this significantly reduces the amount of electricity consumed as compared to trying to keep the entire house comfort- ably cool. Portable air conditioners are particularly convenient to use because you can roll one from room to room. With this feature, one portable air conditioner can be used to keep different rooms cool depending upon which room you are using. Most portable air conditioner are relatively heavy, so most people would not typically carry one up and down stairs easily. It is bet- ter to have one for each floor of a two- story house. Portable heat pumps, which look identical and operate similarly to a portable air conditioner, also provide heating during cold weather. This efficient heating source can produce up to 12,000 British thermal units per hour from a 120-volt electrical outlet. Most electric space heaters produce only 5,100 Btuh. The thermo- stat is built into the handheld remote control so it senses the tem- perature precisely where you are sitting. I use one year-round in my study. A flat adapter panel is used to connect the portable air condition- er or heat pump to a window with one or two 5-inch-diameter flexi- ble and collapsibe ducts. This is where the heat that is pulled from the room air is exhausted outdoors. The window adapter and ducts, which must be moved along with the portable air conditioner, fit HOMES PLUS AUGUST 2017 2 QUALITY DESIGNER FURNITURE For Less! For Less! You are going to find GREAT furniture at GREAT PRICES! We carry High End Pre-owned Merchandise including Ethan Allen, Pennsylvania House, Thomasville and more! 256547004 WE'RE BUSTING AT THE SEAMS UP TO 50% OFF!! CURRENT INVENTORY MUST GO TO MAKE ROOM FOR NEW ITEMS 14265 Capitol Dr., Brookfield 262.439.8745 • www.dfoc1.com Mon., Thurs., Fri., Sat. 10:30am-5:30pm, Sun. 11am-5pm or by Appointment Inventory changing daily We carry High End Pre-owned Merchandise including Ethan Allen, Pennsylvania House, Thomasville and more! Distributed by: ©2017 by Conley Media Waukesha County Homes Plus is published monthly by Conley Media - Waukesha County, 801 N. Barstow St., Waukesha, WI 53186. Contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. A publication of Conley Media Sales Director: Jim Baumgart 262/513-2621 jbaumgart@conleynet.com Editor: Dan Muckelbauer 262/513-2626 dmuck@conleynet.com Production: Patricia Scheel 262/513-2690 pscheel@conleynet.com Homes Plus Volume 6 ■ Number 8 ■ August 2017 MUSKEGO — The 10th annual "Refashion for Life" will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 23 at Callen Construction's Muskego Showroom and company grounds, S63-W13131 Janesville Road. The charity event will again benefit Com- monGround Ministry/Elena's House, with Callen Construction serving as the event's presenting sponsor. "Refashion for Life" features a fashion show combining the newest looks in early and late fall apparel with fashionable products for the home, including tile, flooring and more. It has generated proceeds of more than $200,000. The 2017 theme will be "Refashion for Life ... 10 Years of Fashion and Compassion." "The planning committee believes the theme embraces the principles of Common- Ground Ministry/Elena's House, while high- lighting the main component of the event, whether it is something to be worn or added to a home," said Mary Ellen Huwiler of Com- monGround Ministry. In addition to the runway show, there will also be a 50/50 cash raffle as well as silent and voice auctions featuring entertainment and sporting event tickets, boutique certificates, and more. Saz's Catering will provide small plate appetizers and desserts, with music by the Mr. Lucky Light Syndicate. Tickets are $40 and are on sale at www.refashionforlife.com. Refashion for Life charity event to be held at Callen showroom When you don't want to cool the whole house, portable air conditioners provide efficient relief See DULLEY/Page 7 JAMES DULLEY Soleus Air This heat pump model produces 12,200 Btuh of heat or cooling and can dehumidify up to 65 pints per day.

• Cover