Although the summer sun helps to brighten up our homes on the inside, it could be costing you extra money. Afternoon sunlight can heat up your home and make it more difficult to keep the temperature at a comfortable range while making your air conditioner work harder. Try closing the shades on your South and West facing windows when the sun is shining directly in. Keeping other shades open will still allow light to enter without heating you up.
Using a ceiling fan is a great way to stay cool in your home during the summer, but don’t forget to turn it off when you leave the room. Fans cool people through wind-chill effect but do not cool the room itself. Leaving them on will cost you more money on your electric bill.
Make sure ceiling fans are set to counterclockwise rotation during the summer. Counter clockwise rotation pushes air straight down from the fan to increase the cooling effects of wind-chill.
Save on heating and cooling costs by locating and fixing drafts in your basement. Look for spider webs around basement windows to locate drafty areas. Spiders build their webs in areas with moving air and can indicate what areas need to be sealed.
Inspect the weather stripping on your doors. Worn weather stripping with even the smallest gaps can act like a 2” hole in your door allowing cold air to pass freely into your home. Replacing worn weather stripping is easy to do and will save you money on your electric bills.
Programming your thermostat is a great way to save money on cooling costs this summer, but only if it’s programmed! It is estimated that as many as 50-70% of programmable thermostats are not programmed, costing owners more money. Check to make sure yours is set properly, turning the temperature up during the day while you work, and again while you sleep to save the most money.
Leaving for the weekend or vacation during the summer? Turn your thermostat up and hit the “hold” button on programmable thermostats. Set your thermostat as high as 85-90 degrees. This will keep things from getting too hot in the house but save money on cooling costs while you are gone.
Changing the filter on your cooling system can help it run more efficiently, saving you money on cooling costs. Filters should be changed every month in the summer to help your air conditioner run efficiently.
Cleaning vents and registers is just as important as changing your filter. Dust buildup on return air registers can act like a clogged filter. Plan on cleaning your vents every time you change your filter to make sure your air conditioner is providing the best air flow possible. Just a couple extra minutes can save you money on cooling costs and increase your comfort level.
Looking for ways to save energy during the summer? Start off the season by having your central air conditioner tuned up to ensure it is functioning as efficiently as possible. By having a tune up performed, you can save money without sacrificing your comfort.
Did you know that keeping the outdoor part of your air conditioner unit clean and clear of brush can help it operate more efficiently? Seeds from cottonwood trees and dandelions, grass clippings and dust can all clog the condenser making it work harder. Brush growing too closely to your condenser can also cause it to work harder, costing you more money.
