In our region, there are years that your air conditioner could run at some point every month. But obviously the biggest energy demand (and wallet impact) comes during the summer. Follow these tips to save on your summer cooling costs.
Raise your thermostat setting
The easiest way to save money on summer cooling is to keep the thermostat setting a bit higher. Each degree below 78° has a significant impact on your energy usage, so keep your home as comfortably warm as you can. With a programmable thermostat, you can also program your system to a warmer setting when you are away at work or other lengthy outings. Just remember to keep the temperature safe for any pets, or even climate-sensitive belongings such as electronics (computers, etc.), musical instruments, or antique furniture (a climate-controlled room for these items is another solution to reducing whole-home cooling costs).
Use fans to circulate conditioned air
Standalone fans (floor, box, tabletop, etc.) and ceiling fans are very helpful for circulating air that has already been cooled and dehumidified by your air conditioner. But employ them sparingly, as too many fans, or fans left running constantly, can draw too much power and negate the energy-saving benefits. Also make sure that your ceiling fan(s) rotate air downward. If not, flip its switch (while the fan is off) and then restart.
Hang out in the coolest parts of your home
If you have a basement or room that gets little direct sunlight, it is likeliest the coolest part of your house. Spend more of your day in these naturally cooler areas to save on cooling your sunny living room, kitchen, or other spaces that can be difficult to keep at a comfortable temperature.
Employ shade
Natural and manufactured shade can make a big different in the comfort of your home, as well as your cooling costs.
- Plant trees and shrubs around your outdoor air conditioning condenser to reduce its heat exposure, and also plant near parts of your residence that endure lots of direct, hot sunlight.
- Install solar screening on windows and porches/patios.
- Close blinds and drapes when rooms experience direct sunlight during the day. If the lighting angle is particularly intense and allows a lot of heat to enter the room, consider blackout drapes.
Seal leaks
There’s no point in trying to cool the neighborhood by allowing your expensive conditioned air to seep through leaks in your home. Patch up leaks with caulking, and improved insulation as needed.
Reduce indoor appliance heat
Some appliances naturally generate heat, while others are less noticeable. Keep appliances like your range (both oven and stovetop) off, opting for cold foods or using the microwave (or grilling outside since it is summer after all). And reduce heat from lightbulbs—a silent culprit—by switching to technologies like LEDs, which will also provide their own energy efficiency benefits.
Maintain your air conditioner
Finally, make sure your A/C is working at its best. One of the simplest yet extremely effective things you can do is change out the filter. And then have your air system checked out by a pro to make sure there are no issues. If your air conditioner has been cranking out cool air for several years now, it may be time for an upgrade to a more efficient model.
For maintenance, installation, and all your cooling needs, give us a call at Arctic Air!
