It’s great to take it easy, relax and recharge over the summer. Constantly working to maintain your house at a comfortable temperature to escape the heat might be costly.
Running the air conditioner in your house at full blast for extended periods may quickly drive up your energy cost. The rising expense of air conditioning is a problem, but various solutions are available. Keep your house cool without heavily spending on electricity this summer by following these tips.
1. Regularly Service Your Air Conditioning System
A dirty air conditioner must work harder to cool your house because it restricts airflow. You may cut air conditioners’ energy use by as much as 15 percent if the air filter is maintained regularly. Maintain a lack of dust and debris on the floor.
Keep your air conditioner running well by being serviced often by a professional provider. As part of their service, your contractor should clean the outside coils, inspect the power connections, and double-check the refrigerant levels.
2. Turn Down Heat-Generating Appliances During the Daytime
There is a direct correlation between the increased use of your air conditioner throughout the day and the high heat output of your kitchen and laundry appliances. Use the grill or microwave instead of the oven or slow cooker throughout the day.
Avoid using major appliances like the dryer, dishwasher, and oven during the warmest parts of the day by running the first thing in the morning or last thing at night.
Always utilize the exhaust fan to provide localized cooling and ventilation during daytime showers. Avoiding these common pitfalls can help you save money on utility bills and the expense of operating the air conditioner all day.
3. Use A Ceiling Fan
An exhaust fan can provide the same level of cooling as a central air conditioner. In some cases, ceiling fans may be a more cost-effective solution. Install a ceiling fan in the bathroom to reduce the need for ductwork and piping to penetrate walls and ceilings.
Designate space in your house for ventilation fans to assist with cooling even when you are not home. Use a portable fan during the hottest times and remove it when you’re getting ready in the morning or after working outside all day.
4. Improve Insulation
Install a bubble-wrap barrier between your attic and the ceiling of your house. Use foam insulation at the ceiling’s joints to improve the air tightness of the attic. You may have to work with a professional, but the potential savings are significant.
Closely follow building codes when installing insulation in your attic. The installation must comply with current safety regulations, be made of fire-retardant material, and level at least six inches off the surface of your roof so that moisture doesn’t collect on top.
By installing insulation, about 20 percent of that heat may be retained in your home, according to Energy Star.
5. Install A Programmable Thermostat
Automatic temperature control is a great way to save money on the air conditioning utility bill. Many homeowners find that they can prevent their air conditioner from running all day by installing an automatically controlled programmable thermostat.
If you have an existing central A/C unit in your house, it is installed and tuned based on your previous needs and usage patterns.
6. Utilize Systems Like Solar Energy
Purchase an air conditioner that is energy efficient and uses solar power to utilize the free energy of the sun. You can install a solar air conditioning system in your house to help you save on utility costs.
Depending on your needs, you can get a simple system that runs a small fan or a new heating and cooling system that includes ductwork and ventilation.
Simple home modifications may reduce your air conditioning costs without spending much time or money. If you can reduce your air conditioner’s operating expenses, you may save money and make your house more energy efficient. If you are looking for more information, contact the Boca Raton air conditioning experts at Pride AC.