Summer Energy Efficiency: How to Lower Your AC Costs Without Sacrificing Comfort

With temperatures soaring across the nation, staying comfortable can often be at odds with your wallet. Air conditioning (AC) is a blessing in the blistering heat of summer, but it can also lead to astronomical energy bills. 

Fortunately, there are several effective strategies that homeowners can employ to increase energy efficiency and lower AC costs without compromising on comfort.

Have Strategic Thermostat Settings

Your thermostat is the brain behind your AC usage. Simply adjusting the temperature by a few degrees when you're not at home can lead to significant savings. Consider investing in a programmable or smart thermostat that automatically makes these adjustments for you.

Optimize Air Flow

Ensuring your AC unit is working efficiently is crucial. Regularly replace or clean your AC filters to prevent dust buildup, which can restrict airflow and force your system to work harder.

 

Additionally, keep registers and vents unblocked by furniture or drapes to promote better air circulation throughout the home.

Seal Leaks

Poor insulation and leaks can be energy vampires. Use weatherstripping or caulk to seal leaks in doors and windows. Make sure that no cool air is escaping through cracks and crevices. 

Taking time to fix these leaks can improve the efficacy of your AC unit and help maintain cooler temperatures indoors.

Use Fans Wisely

Ceiling fans can be used in conjunction with your AC for better air circulation. By enabling the movement of cooler air around the room, you can set your thermostat higher without feeling the heat. 

On cooler days, or in the evenings, turn off the AC and use fans to bring down the temperature naturally.

Use Window Wisdom

Solar heat gain through windows can significantly affect your indoor temperature. Use shades, blinds, or drapes to block the sun during the hottest parts of the day. If possible, install energy-efficient windows that have a reflective coating to repel solar rays.

Reduce Heat Inside

The activities you do inside can raise your home's temperature. Cooking, running the dishwasher, or using heat-generating electronics can make your AC work harder. 

Try grilling outside, washing dishes by hand, or saving energy-intensive tasks for cooler times of the day.

Landscape for Shade

Planting trees or shrubs can provide shade and create a natural cool zone around your house. Pay special attention to the west and east windows, which typically receive the most sunlight. 

Green landscaping not only cuts down on your cooling needs but also enhances the aesthetics of your property.

Maintain Your AC Unit

Regular maintenance of your AC unit is non-negotiable for optimal performance. Have a professional service your AC system yearly to ensure it’s operating at peak efficiency. This could also extend the life of your unit and prevent costly repairs in the long run.

Invest in Efficient AC Systems

If your AC unit is older than 10 years, upgrading to a newer, energy-efficient model could be a worthwhile investment. These modern systems have higher Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratios (SEER) and use less energy to produce the same cooling effect.

Utilize Smart Utilization of Space

Close off unused areas of your home and avoid cooling rooms that aren't in use. By concentrating the cooling in just the utilized spaces, you can maximize the efficiency of your AC system.

We often think of summer as a time of higher energy bills, but it doesn't have to be. By taking a strategic approach to how we cool our homes, it's possible to find a perfect balance between comfort and cost-saving. 

Implementing the tips above can not only improve your home's energy efficiency and reduce your carbon footprint but also keep you comfortably cool throughout the dog days of summer.

Remember, each step you take towards more efficient energy use is a step towards a greener, more cost-effective lifestyle. Stay cool, save money, and enjoy your summer sustainably! If you need help with your AC unit, remember to seek out professionals like Kelly Air Systems / CM Kelly to boost your AC system’s performance.

How to Save Energy on Your Home Air Conditioning

There is a lot you can do in order to ensure that you do not waste energy on your air conditioning. After all, you use your air conditioner the most during the summer. In fact, there may be days when you do not wish to switch it off at all. In hot climates, having an air conditioner is very important. So you need to find out ways, which are the most energy efficient, in helping you to cool your home. This way you will not have to pay any high energy bills. Thankfully, there are many different things you can do in order to use your air conditioner in a more efficient way, spend less money, and avoid wasting energy too.

First, you need a thermostat that is programmable for your air conditioner. This is a device that is temperature sensitive. Once it is programmable, you would be able to control when your air conditioning is switched on. You need to choose from the various programmable thermostat models available in order to find the one that will suit your specific needs. There are models that you can program for the whole week. This will suit those who have varying schedules and routines. So you can program each day depending on when you leave and when you come back.
There are also the five and two day models. These can be programmed for those five weekdays and the two days at the weekend. This is best for those who follow a different schedule during their weekend.

With a programmable thermostat you enjoy a cool house when you leave and be welcomed by a cool house when you return. Your air conditioning will get switched off during the rest of the day. You would be saving on energy this way.

Second, you need to think of solar energy in order to keep your home cool and to save on money too. The solar panels you use will take in energy during the day. You can use this energy in order to power the air conditioning system of your home. This way you would be using the sun in order to keep your home cool. Even though you should not turn towards solar energy for all your heating needs, but this is definitely an efficient way for you to lower your energy bills. Even though the start-up costs for using and installing solar panels may be somewhat expensive, the long-term savings that you would be making will make it worthwhile.

Of course, regular maintenance is important but is often neglected by a lot of people. You need to clean out your system each month. This will help you to get rid of any kind of dust or debris that may be lying around. You must replace the filter, too. Having less dust will ensure that your air conditioning system works more efficiently. You will also save energy this way. 

These are simple techniques that can be practiced by all in order to save on energy bills. Click here for more energy saving tips.