Centers And Squares
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As a Cambridge real estate agent, the city squares of Cambridge, Somerville and Medford and the town centers of Arlington, Watertown and Belmont, Massachusetts are my home turf. And as a lifelong New Englander who’s lived within twenty miles of Boston most of my life, I can introduce you to other nearby towns as we search for your new home. If you’re planning to sell your home in Cambridge, MA or nearby you’ll find plenty of info about the home selling process here too. Questions? Send me an email or call me at 617-504-1737.
Losing Our Cool
Losing Our Cool by Stan Cox
Losing Our Cool by Stan Cox. The spate of hot weather is really testing my belief that you don’t need air conditioning in Massachusetts.
The weather this year is an aberration. We’ve had temperatures above normal almost every day since February according to my dad the weather buff.
We won’t be getting air conditioning, however, and my resolve is strengthened by Stan Cox’s new book – Losing Our Cool: Uncomfortable Truths About Our Air Conditioned World (and Finding New Ways to Get Through the Summer).
I just bought the book so can’t give the whole review but believe me – Cox is very persuasive. We were toying with the idea of getting A/C for the second floor until I heard Stan Cox interviewed on NPR. My neighbor heard the same segment – and drove back to the store to return the two A/C units in her trunk that she had just purchased.
Losing Our Cool describes the rapid growth in air conditioning – and the Northeast is leading the way – and the impact it is having on the environment and on our energy use. Bottom line – it’s not sustainable.
Cox advocates traditional cooling methods that pre-date the relatively recent introduction of air conditioning. Open windows, porches, shades, fans, etc. I’ll vouch for the difference a small fan blowing directly on me makes – who knew?!
Now if we could bring back vent windows in cars…
PS – I can’t resist a mini rant – There is nothing “green” about a building in Massachusetts with air conditioning. It makes me crazy when I see buildings touted as “green” that have central air.
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Liz ~ I managed to live my entire life until I moved to the US 10 years ago without A/C. I will say though that building styles in different countries make it easier. In Northern Europe most of the homes are built of brick and they stay cooler for longer because of that. I also lived in Singapore where they build for the climate with natural venting ideas, (a bit like the vent windows in cars you mention). The US went straight for the A/C. Not sure what the solution is. Starting from scratch seems to be out, so I guess a mini rant is what it is!
Hi Denise!
We’ve never had a/c in my family but wow! this summer is something else entirely. I’m in permanent rant-mode at this point. I’ve got no problem in the winter mood-wise but stay outa my way in the heat and humidity! My neighbor’s wading pool was looking mighty tempting this morning.
Liz