How can I Save Money on my AC this Summer?
When summer’s brutal heat wave hits Parrish FL, like most homeowners, your first line of defense is turning on your air conditioner. It’s not surprising, then, that 17% of the typical U.S. household energy bill is spent on cooling costs. Because summer is the season when electricity demand spikes, it stresses the grid and pumps copious amounts of air pollution into our atmosphere. Coal-fired power plant emissions in particular, cook in the summer sun, creating smog and ozone pollution.
Using your electricity more efficiently allows you to turn on your AC less frequently, saving you money while making you more comfortable. These tips will help you lower your energy costs by helping you reduce the amount of energy you consume (and pay for) while running your air conditioner this summer:
Buy Energy Star
Whether you are buying a new room unit or a new central air conditioner (check into whether it qualifies for a tax credit), efficiency is paramount. Some Energy Star window air conditioning units use 10% less energy than the vast majority of the 1000-plus standard models that barely meet minimum standards, while Energy Star central air systems consume about 14% less, making both of them clearly a better value. Before purchasing a new air conditioner, consult the Energy Star Website guide; compared to typical units, a handful of models use at least 25% less energy.
Bigger isn’t better
A central air conditioning system consumes more energy to cool a small room than a window unit will, so a smaller unit will save money. Consider how you will use your new air conditioner, and select the smallest unit that works for you and your home. The Energy Star website has a handy guide to assist you in choosing the perfect air conditioner for your space.
Clean your air filters
Whether you have a room air conditioner or a central air conditioner, a dirty filter reduces its efficiency, which will result in more energy use and a higher utility bill. Monthly checks on your HVAC system’s filter will indicate when an air filter change is due. Anticipate changing your filter monthly during high usage.
Adjust your thermostat
The difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures is surprisingly as important as the actual temperature in your home. To balance energy and cost savings with comfort, when you are in your house, 78 degrees is the recommended thermostat setting. When combined with winter energy savings, using a programmable thermostat properly can save money — the typical household saves up to $150.
If your central air system is controlled by a programmable thermostat, save energy by setting it to increase the heat during the day when the house is empty. On the hottest days, you can turn it up a couple degrees at night, as well.
Have your HVAC checked annually
Scheduling an annual HVAC tune up will enable the technician to diagnose any problems causing your system to run inefficiently, to avoid paying unnecessarily high air conditioning charges on your utility bill. Give us a call at Custom Air Heating & Cooling for more information on HVAC products, service and repair.