It's time to start turning down our thermostats when it gets warmer and more humid outside. With electricity usage expected to stay high throughout the summer, you should expect to spend hundreds of dollars each month on bills power, no matter how you cut them down.
While some air conditioning consumption is unavoidable, there are ways to stay cool in your home during the hot summer months without spending too much on electricity.
Here's how you can do it :
Optimize Your Thermostat
Adjusting your thermostat is one of the simplest ways to minimize electricity expenditure. According to the Department of Energy, changing your thermostat by 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours daily will save you up to 10% on your heating and cooling bills. Put another way, keep it a little warmer in the summer and cooler in the winter.
This may be a straightforward way to accomplish when you're asleep or on vacation. If you have a smart thermostat, you can program it to adjust during certain times so you don't forget. This eliminates the inconvenience of frequently regulating your thermostat and the fear of not having a good night's sleep in a hot house.
Maintain Your Air Conditioning Unit
Regular maintenance is required for your air conditioner to work efficiently over the years. Now, if you're wondering, "Is AC part of the electric bill?" the answer is "yes, it is"; in fact, neglecting basic maintenance results in poor performance and excessive energy use. A specialist may be required to inspect the coils, fins, evaporative cooler, and heat pump.
Fortunately, you don't have to be a trained HVAC expert to perform a quick, simple check on your air conditioner and ensure it can do its job successfully. But you should keep lamps and television sets away from your thermostat. The thermostat will detect the heat produced by these appliances, causing your AC electric bill pay to increase.
Turn Off and Unplug Unused Appliances
When you decide to leave the house, unplugging items from their appropriate outlets or using smart power strips can help cut energy expenses by removing "phantom" or "standby" electricity that appliances, chargers, and regular power strips require, even when not in use.
You can also start by shutting off lights when you're not in the room or when it's light enough outside to rely completely on natural light. While it may not appear much, it can build up over time.
Keep Your Home Insulated
During the summer, insulation keeps hot air out and cool air in. This enables you to save electricity by running your air conditioner less frequently.
Preventing leaks is one of the most effective ways to keep warm and cool air out. Although you may not perceive it, this makes ventilating your home more difficult and expensive.
Reducing the flow of air leaking into and out of your home is a low-cost strategy to reduce cooling costs while maximizing the functionality of your air conditioning system. Seal cracks and openings between immovable items such as door and window frames with caulk. You can apply weather stripping to moving parts of the house, such as window sashes and the door itself.
Check for air leaks in your attic and basement, which may have big gaps in insulation or missing weather stripping. You have the option to seal small cracks using foam or caulk. For larger holes, installing or replacing insulation might be required.
Clean and Replace Air Filters
When you fail to change your air filters regularly, dirt, dust, pet hair, and other debris, enter your HVAC system and clog it, diminishing its performance. As per the Department of Energy, changing your filters daily can decrease your air conditioner's energy consumption by 5% to 15%.
Vacuuming your air intake vents regularly helps remove dust buildup, allowing for better circulation and less pressure on your air conditioner. Consider scheduling maintenance checks to identify and address any potential cooling system problems.
Saving energy isn't simply a summertime activity. Many of these suggestions will save you money all year. By performing air sealing, inspecting your AC unit, and utilizing a smart thermostat, you can ensure your home stays cool during the summer and warm throughout the winter. Developing smart energy practices will help you decrease waste, enhance efficiency, and discount power bill pay all year.
If checking your HVAC system seems too much of a hassle, it's time to call in a pro. Stahl Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning's qualified experts can swiftly resolve any HVAC or cooling system issue. To book an appointment with us, please contact our team right away.