Air conditioning can significantly affect your monthly energy bill, especially during the warmer months. To help you stay cool while saving money, explore the following four tips on improving your air conditioning efficiency while remaining just as comfortable.
1. Change Your Behaviors
A few simple changes can keep you cool in the summer heat while cutting your air conditioning costs. For example, raise your thermostat’s setting by just a few degrees, from 69 degrees Fahrenheit to 72 degrees. You might not notice the temperature change, but even a few degrees can noticeably impact your energy bill.
According to the Department of Energy, if you have ceiling fans in your home, you can save even more energy costs by running your fans and air conditioning simultaneously. It sounds counterintuitive, but ceiling fans cost less to run, and running the fan in a counterclockwise direction creates a downdraft that circulates the cool air. With this tactic, you can increase your thermostat by about 4 degrees, from 70 to 74 degrees, and not feel any difference in the cooling factor.
2. Stay on Top of Maintenance
Regular maintenance for your air conditioning unit can keep it running efficiently all year. Maintenance typically includes replacing filters, cleaning coils and inspecting the air conditioning unit for any signs of wear or lagging performance.
When an air conditioner has to work harder because it has not been maintained, it uses more energy to produce the same amount of cooling, increasing your monthly energy bill. Maintain your home’s doors and windows to keep that precious cool air from escaping. Check for any drafts and seal gaps in windows and other areas.
3. Add Some Home Improvements
Once you’ve verified that your windows are sealed shut, add curtains, dark blinds or shades to block the hot sunlight from windows during the hottest part of the day. This move can keep rooms several degrees cooler, reducing the need for air conditioning.
You may need to shore up your home’s insulation if the cool air keeps escaping. The more well-insulated your home, the more consistent the interior temperature stays, reducing the workload for your air conditioner.
4. Use Smarter Tech
Smart devices offer many programming options to optimize your home’s air-conditioning usage. You can install a smart thermostat with an app to program custom cooling schedules. You can also adjust the thermostat remotely, which can help prevent overcooling the house when no one is at home.
You Don’t Have to Sacrifice Cool Air
Saving money on your air conditioning bill is not just good for your wallet; it’s also good for the environment. Using these tips, you can stay relaxed and comfortable at home while reducing energy usage and costs.
Start your cooling campaign by scheduling an air-conditioner maintenance to ensure your unit operates efficiently. Don’t let your family sweat it out in your Helena, MT home because the bill is too high — call Big Sky Plumbing & Heating today for air conditioning services.