It’s air conditioning time, and if the idea of getting that electric bill has you hot under the collar, try some of these straightforward ideas to decrease your energy consumption while staying comfy in your home:
Temperature management – Set your thermostat to 78° Fahrenheit. For every degree lower, the energy expense goes up by 6 percent. (Source – U.S. Department of Energy website). A programmable thermostat can save you cash and you’ll never even notice because you can set it to elevate the temperature in your house when you’re not there and to lower it again before you come back. Why cool your home when no one is there to appreciate it? You can also raise it a little at night when your whole family is sleeping. always elevate it when you go on a getaway.
Keep the Fan Switch ON – Your thermostat offers you the option of having your fan come on only when your AC is on or having it on all the time. If you leave the fan on even when the AC isn’t running, you’ll circulate the air in your home, and it will seem cooler. That way, you can set the temperature a little warmer and not feel too hot. Also, stirring the air makes the temperature more stable in the home from room to room and from floor to floor.
Confirm the Direction of Your Ceiling Fan – When you stand under your ceiling fan, look up and check that the blades are turning counter clockwise. This will blow the air straight down creating a “wind chill” scenario and making it seem like the temperature is lower.
Air Conditioner Tune-Up – quite a few homeowners underestimate the importance of yearly maintenance for their air conditioner. Besides safety concerns, a tune-up confirms that your air conditioner is performing at peak efficiency, thus preserving more money than the price of the tune up. If you have not had your AC looked at this year, call for air conditioner service Right now and begin saving on utility bills immediately.
Clean Your exterior Air Conditioner Coil – There are various items in the air that end up on your coil and cause your air conditioner to work harder than it must, thus raising your power bill. Dandelion spores, cotton seed, grass trimmings, leaves and dryer lint can all coat your coil. Hose it off when you see gunk on it.
Change Your Filter – Did you have any idea that airflow troubles can reduce an air conditioner’s effectiveness by up to 15 percent? Make sure you clean or replace your one-inch air filter monthly. Otherwise, your air conditioner will be forced to run longer to satisfy the thermostat and your electricity consumption goes up.
in addition to decreasing bills, these simple actions will also help your air conditioner last longer before you’re forced to replace it and install a new one.
