1. Avoid using the Oven
Indoor cooking appliances like your stove and oven generate a lot of heat in your home. This causes your air conditioner to have to work harder to bring the temperature back to what the thermostat has been set to.
If possible, cook outside in the summer, especially on extremely hot days. The oven generates the most heat, so if grilling out is not an option, use the stove, a toaster oven, or a microwave.
2. Cover Your Windows
Sunlight generates heat. While it is nice to have natural light streaming in through your open blinds, this raises the temperature in your home and puts your HVAC system on double duty.
Covering your windows to reduce the amount of light can lighten your air conditioner’s load. Close blinds and window coverings especially in room with direct sunlight. You can cover windows with blankets or sheets if you don’t have window treatments or install a special film on your windows to reduce light without completely blocking it out.
3. Adjust Your Thermostat While You are Away
If you are going to be away from your home for any length of time, consider adjusting your thermostat a few degrees higher. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that homeowners can save up to 10% annually on their cooling bills simply by turning up their thermostats while at work. If you have an older system, it takes longer to get back to temperature in the heat of the day, so only adjust thermostat a few degrees.
4. Insulate Your Home
If your home has poor insulation or drafty areas, this allows warm air in your home and cool air out. Over time, this can result in higher energy bills even if you are doing everything else you can to keep your heating and cooling expenses low. Look for areas that need to be insulated, such as cracks around windows and doors and attics with poor or no insulation.
The better your home’s insulation, the easier it is for your air conditioning system to keep it cool in the summer, since the outside elements have a more difficult time getting past well-insulated walls.
5. Change Your Ceiling Fans to Rotate Counterclockwise
Ceiling fans help keep your home comfortable by moving air and creating airflow. Did you know that the direction your fans go in makes a difference in how well they work? In the summer, your ceiling fans should be rotating counterclockwise to help push cool air down. This creates a wind-chill effect making your home feel cooler than it is, allowing you to turn up your thermostat a few degrees and save a little more on your energy bill.
6. Change Your Air Conditioner Filters Regularly
Clogged air filters put a strain on your air conditioner as it tries to circulate air throughout your home. Not only is the system working harder, the debris in the filter can also clog up your system causing breakdown and possible damage to your home from water leaks. Change your filters every month to lower electric bills and prevent premature breakdown.
Save Energy by Switching to Ductless AC Today
In addition to these easy ways to save energy during the summer, you can cut your cooling costs even more by investing in a ductless HVAC system. Ductless systems do not lose cooled air through faulty ductwork and maintain temperature by simply moving air around from the outside to the inside and vice versa. Mitsubishi Electric reports that ductless cooling can save homeowners up to 30-40% on their energy costs.
All Weather Mechanical, Inc., is a Mitsubishi Diamond Elite contractor dedicated to helping our customers get the best possible energy savings for their money. Contact us today at (910) 554-3252 for more information or to schedule an appointment with our professional technicians.
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