SUMMER IS HERE! Saving Money While Keeping it Cool

Owning and maintaining a home can get expensive. One of the major expenses is energy costs. To make your life easier, here’s a rundown of top money-saving HVAC tips:

Quit Cooling the Neighborhood
If your house isn’t brand new, the cold air inside is probably seeping out into the neighborhood through faulty door and window seals or a poorly insulated attic. Upgrading your insulation or weather stripping can help keep the cool air in during the hot months.

Upgrade your Thermostat
A small investment of a smart thermostat can regulate both heating and cooling when you’re not home to save money. Many smart thermostats allow you to adjust settings from your phone. Thermostat placement can also play a big part in how well your air conditioner works. For example, if you place the thermostat on a wall next to a hot window, the air conditioner will cycle on more often than it needs to.

Avoid Adding More Heat
On the hottest days, try to avoid activities that generate a lot of heat, such as cooking, using the dishwasher or clothes dryer.

Cover Your Windows
During the hottest part of the day close your shades or blinds to keep out the sun.

Supplement your Air Conditioning with a Ceiling Fam
According to the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC), using a ceiling fan can make the room feel 10 degrees cooler and uses 10 percent of the energy of a central air conditioner. Fans can be helpful especially on two-story homes as hot air rises.

Keep Up with Repairs and Routine Maintenance
Dirty filters can quickly block airflow and make units work harder to cool your home. Simply replacing filters once a month can lower your energy consumption by 5% – 15%. Be sure that floor registers are not blocked by furniture. Check your outside AC units to make sure they are clear of dirt, leaves, branches, and grass to keep the unit performing at its best. An annual tune-up is normally less than $200 and can prevent unexpected repairs later.

Raise the Temperature with You Leave
It is a common misconception that leaving the air conditioner set at the same temperature saves you money because it doesn’t have to work as hard to recool the home. The NRDC says that the most inexpensive way to use your air conditioner is to turn the thermostat up (or program it to do so) when you leave the house. Setting your thermostat four to six degrees higher when you leave the house is recommended. Generally, each degree set back equals two percent energy cost savings for that time.

When you’re at home, always set your thermostat to the highest temperature you can stand to save the most money. The US Department of Energy recommends aiming for an indoor temperature of 78 degrees when you are home.

Know When it’s Time to Call it Quits AC efficiency is a function of technology so newer systems are more efficient. You can cut your energy costs in half by swapping your older air conditioner for a newer, more efficient unit. Always look for systems that are Energy Star rated.