Flanagan says vines are natural air conditioner.Silver lace is fast-growing, while Boston Ivy or a climbing hydrangea (for shade) are self-clinging and will not damage a house unless the house is already in disrepair.
"It's an old wive's tale," he says.
How to keep your cool
Some tips from The Home Depot.
» Maintain your air conditioner unit and change the filter every one or two months for maximum efficiency.
» When buying a new AC, choose a new ENERGY STAR room air conditioner, which uses 30-70% less electricity than older models.
» Use household appliances early in the morning or after sunset when demand on the grid is lower.
» Ceiling and oscillating fans are a great alternative and will circulate the air at ground level. Open the windows at night and let the cool breezes blow.
» Use the barbecue or plug a crockpot into an outside circuit to keep the heat where it belongs -- outdoors.
» Draw the curtains during the day to keep the sunshine from heating up a room.
