Energy-Saving AC Tips for Summer

Summer can be draining financially. Energy rates reach peak levels during June, July and August and cooling your home during this time requires a considerably greater amount of energy, often leading to skyrocketing utility bills. Investing in energy-saving tips can relieve your wallet, giving you peace of mind and body.

Efficient energy is excellent, though it does not have to make you boil in high temperatures or scorching sun. Summer can be an energy-saving time for you and your family if you observe the following energy-saving tips from PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air.

• Change your air filters regularly – Routine cleaning (for reusable filters) or changing your ACs filter can increase the unit’s efficiency. Dirty or clogged filters interfere with the smooth flow of air in the AC. As the air forces its way, it can bypass the filter into the evaporator coil and interfere ring with its heat-absorbing property. A clean filter will increase the unit’s energy efficiency by significantly lowering energy consumption with a percentage efficiency of between five and twenty. During the summer, cooling is almost inevitable, and constant attention to the AC filters must be observed as it is in continuous use. Replacing or cleaning dirty air filters every two months will benefit you as a homeowner.
• Mind your gadgets – All electric devices generate heat while plugged in or connected to power, even when not in use. If not in use, unplug all your gadgets, whether your tv set, radio, computer, toaster, or any other device not in use.
• Close the drapes – Avoiding glaring light in the house will help reduce the need to eliminate the heat associated with the sun’s rays entering the house through the windows. The greenhouse effect is a common phenomenon during summer days as the effect of the sun reflected in the place when curtains and windows are open is retained, increasing the already high temperatures indoors. Closing the windows and drawing curtains shut will help reduce the heat retained; hence little effort is needed while cooling your house.
• Use your ceiling fans – The use of ceiling fans results in a wind chill effect that will make you feel comfortable. A ceiling fan will complement your AC as they work together very well. While using air conditioning, using a fan at the same time will enable you to reduce the amount of energy used to run the air conditioning system. The fun will allow you to set a higher degree of heat without interfering with your comfort.
• Maintain your HVAC unit – Your system needs to be at its optimal performance. Regular air conditioning services are crucial as its negligence may lead to poor performance, thus increasing the amount of energy required to run it. Always ensure filters are clean, proper refrigeration levels, drain lines are clear, and coils are kept out of foreign substances such as dust, pollen, animal fur, or any other thing that may hinder its ideal functioning.
• Smart thermostat – Automatic adjustment of temperatures in your home may improve energy efficiency. Such intelligent devices master your routine preferences and automatically adjust when you are not in the house or asleep. A smart thermostat comes in handy as it helps reduce energy usage, as it has already adapted a schedule on your timings such that your system only runs in a certain way as long as you need it.
• Dehumidifier and Strategic wash – High humidity levels will overwork your system, increasing energy costs. When you use a dehumidifier, it avoids using too much moisture in the air, which makes your unit work harder. Machines used to clean dishes and clothes generate unwanted heat as well. Be sure to wash using cold water and have cold baths during the summer season to avoid injecting too much moisture in your homes as well as losing and using too much energy.
• Home insulation – Avoiding any air leakages keeps cool air in during hot seasons and prevents warmer air from accessing the house. Having your home airtight through insulation services is less expensive, easy, and effective as readily available filler is used to seal openings and cracks for stationary areas and weather-stripping for movable parts of the house like windows and door frames. Window coverings prevent heat during the day from entering your home.
• Grill outdoors, turn off unnecessary lights – Grilling outside will not only avoid extreme heating in the house but is also fun. The heat from grills can be troublesome, especially when you are trying to reduce temperatures while avoiding substantial energy bills. Avoiding conventional cooking in your house will also save your AC, as unwanted heat from the oven makes your system work harder. Switching off any light not in use can also help reduce the overall energy costs. Using LED Lighting instead of incandescent bulbs will also save you a lot of trouble as they use less energy.
• Air Ducts/Ductwork – It is a good idea to periodically check your attic ductwork. This will ensure there are no leaks that could be allowing the cooled or heated air from your unit to seep into the attic area and dust to likewise make its way into your air ducts and out of the vents into your living area.

Money is a scarce resource. Employing the energy-saving tips will significantly impact your life positively as resources used while cooling or heating are reduced considerably without necessarily interfering with your comfort level. Use of smart thermostats, insulation, and ceiling fans, unplugging all gadgets not in use, and ensuring curtains and windows are shut on warmer days will ensure your home remains cool, not just in summer but also warm in winter. Reduced energy loss improves efficiency as well as saving resources that otherwise would be lost in thin air.

For more information on anything related to your heating and cooling systems, please contact us today.