Summer’s here! The kids are at home for the whole day, the sun is sweeping through every afternoon, the concrete is radiating with heat, and you’re probably worried about your energy bill. Fortunately, we’ve compiled a quick list of summer energy saving tips to help you save money and stay cool at the same time.
Energy Saving Tips for Your AC
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Invest In a Programmable Thermostat
Even though the kids are home during summer vacation, they still will not be home ALL of the time. As a family, you will run errands, go on vacation, or spend the afternoon out. Do not run the air conditioning unit when the house is empty: it is a waste of energy. To ensure your comfort, you can program the thermostat to turn on about half an hour before anyone returns to the house.
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Find the Perfect Temperature
Take advantage of this easy summer energy saving tip: Maintain a temperature of about 78°F or 26°C. An article by the US Department of Energy says, “The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.” You will experience a 6% decrease in your energy cost per degree “warmer.” The closer your indoor temperature is to the temperature outside, the less your AC unit has to work, therefore lowering your energy costs. 78°F is still comfortable indoors.
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Keep The Air Vents And Ducts Clear
Dust and other airborne materials can clog the AC ventilation system, forcing the unit to work harder. As mentioned before, the harder the unit works, the higher your energy cost will be.
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Change Your Disposable Air Filter
Dirty air filters obstruct air flow. Changing the air filter every one to three months can play a role in the air quality in your home and boost the efficiently of your HVAC unit as well.
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Install Fans
Fans use less electricity than a central AC unit, and circulating air is very effective at cooling an entire room. Your family can feel a temperature difference of up to 10 degrees cooler because of the moving air.
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Look For Leaks
Be aware of the physical impact of your home on your AC’s ability to cool it. For example, keep doors closed to keep cold air inside, check your windows for cool air leaks, inspect your home’s insulation, and cover windows to keep heat from radiating inside.
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Trust in PFO
Call our NATE certified AC technicians to complete a routine maintenance of your AC unit. We can clean the evaporator coils, condensate pan, fan blades, fins, and outer coils. A well-maintained air conditioning unit is the most important summer energy saving tip.
Bonus: An Energy Saving Tip for Your Entire Home
- Don’t use electronic household items, like the clothes dryer, stove, or dishwasher, during the hottest times of day. During the summer, the best times to run these heavy utilities are in the early morning and late evening. Each of these appliances adds additional heat inside of your home, forcing the AC unit to work harder.
Air Conditioner Repair and Maintenance
Summer is not the best time to find out that you need air conditioner repair, but don’t worry: the NATE certified air conditioning professionals at PFO can help. Explore our cost-effective options for summertime AC repair and maintenance. Contact us to start taking advantage of these energy saving tips for your air conditioner!