Dealing with the high costs of staying cool in the summer can be painful for families that are operating on a tight budget. Fortunately, there are ways to keep your home comfortable without seeing your cooling bills skyrocket. A professional air conditioning service is one way to help lower cooling bills. Here are five ways to save energy this summer to keep your home comfortable and efficient when the weather heats up.
Improving Efficiency With Fans
Many people feel that the ceiling fans in their home should only be used when it is not hot enough to turn on the air conditioning. These fixtures can actually be used in conjunction with other cooling methods to increase the efficiency of your home. You just have to know how to accomplish this goal without wasting energy.
The positioning and size of your ceiling fan is important when you want to increase efficiency in your home. It is estimated that using a ceiling fan when your air conditioner is on can allow you to raise the temperature on your thermostat by 4 degrees.
Keep the Oven Off
Using your oven during the summer hurts any efforts to efficiently cool your home because of the heat that circulates into the room when the oven is turned on. The best way to combat this reduction in efficiency is by keeping the oven off when the weather is hot. One solution is to opt for cold meals. Another way to avoid using the oven in the summer is by opting for the microwave instead. Not only will this reduce your cooling bills, but microwaves use substantially less energy than ovens. The cost savings related to cooling and energy can add up over the season.
Adjust To Higher Temperatures
Some people feel that they can only be comfortable in a building that has a regulated temperature of approximately 68 degrees. While this is considered to be a normal room temperature, most people are able to adjust their comfort level by acclimating to a higher indoor temperature. The most efficient thermostat setting in the summer that still allows you to cool down when you come inside is approximately 78 degrees. Consider adjusting to this temperature when the weather starts to warm up, and try to keep your air conditioning off when the indoor temperature hovers at or below this number.
There is a common misconception that an air conditioner should be set and kept at a steady temperature throughout the day. While it is recommended that you keep your air conditioner on when it is hot outside, setting it to 85 degrees when you are not at home improves efficiency and lowers your cooling bills.
Improve Air Conditioner Efficiency
Air conditioners need to be regularly maintained in order for these units to run efficiently. Homeowners should have their cooling system serviced annually to improve efficiency. Preventative maintenance appointments can be scheduled at the beginning and end of the summer to keep an air conditioner working as it should when the weather is hot.
Cleaning the system and replacing air filters when they become excessively dirty or damaged is one of the best ways to improve efficiency to keep costs down. Other tasks that are completed during a maintenance service appointment include inspection of the system, lubrication of connecting parts and safety checks.
Save on Laundry
Laundry can be washed in cold water to save on energy costs. Be sure to use a detergent that is specifically intended to be used in high-efficiency washers that can run an entire load on the cold setting. Additional savings can be enjoyed when the weather is particularly warm outside. Clothes can be hung outside to dry to reduce energy use by keeping the dryer turned off throughout the summer.
Get Help From ACS Absolute Comfort
Following these tips is the first step to reducing your energy bills this summer. You can save even more by investing in air conditioning repair when your cooling system is not running efficiently. Be sure to get your unit repaired as soon as you notice a problem to ensure that your cooling bills will not start to skyrocket. The cost of repair is typically much lower than the ongoing costs of using an inefficient air conditioner, and you will probably have to replace your system if you do not call a professional to perform maintenance.
ACS Absolute Comfort is a family-owned HVAC company located in Houston. Experienced technicians work to provide any air conditioning service that residents of Houston and the surrounding areas may need to keep their homes comfortable. Contact ACS Absolute Comfort today to schedule an appointment for air conditioning repair or preventative maintenance.
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