With the weather turning warmer and temperatures heading for the low 80s and moving upwards, it can be tempting to crank up the AC for optimal comfort. However, there are lots of hidden opportunities for saving money on your cooling costs by making some slight changes. We at Newark-Heath Heating & Cooling are here to give you 10 tips and tricks on bringing down the numbers on your utility bills this summer!
- Crank up the Ceiling Fans (not the AC)
Very few people know that air circulation from ceiling fans can create a significant wind-chill. By running your fans in your home, you can bring your home’s perceived air temperature down by about 6 to 7 degrees. Additionally, the combination of running ceiling fans and turning down your air conditioning can ultimately save you money and energy. If you don’t have ceiling fans in your home, you can always consider investing in a couple pedestal fans. Either way, the savings are definitely worth it!
- Protect Your Home From the Sun
Summer sunlight is an extremely powerful source of energy and heat, so curtains and blinds are lifesavers. Simply by covering your windows during the day, you can help your air conditioning unit work more efficiently.
- Mesh Window Screens as an Alternative
If you wish to avoid being the neighborhood vampire by shutting up all of your curtains and blinds during the summer, then there is an alternative! If you have mesh window screens on your windows, then you can close the curtains or shades on the sunny sides of the house, and leave them open on the shady sides. Any stray light escaping through open windows will be filtered by the mesh screens, protecting your home from the hot summer sun. While it’s not as effective as actual window coverings, mesh window screens can still be effective at bringing your cooling costs down.
- Block Unwanted Openings
Air isn’t much help if it’s escaping through cracks and openings in your home, just as hot air can easily be a nuisance when it finds its way into your home. In essence, any openings in your home can quickly decrease the efficiency of your cooling system. Investing in caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows in your home is a great way to keep the cold air in and the warm air out!
- Remember Your Priorities
If your priority is running your AC for optimal comfort, then you are most likely wasting a lot of energy and money. By making saving energy and money your priority, you can easily reconfigure your mentality when it comes to your cooling habits. That being said, your goal should be to keep your AC settings as close to outdoor temperatures as possible.
- Keep Up With Your Air Filters
Dirty air filters are the number one sign of inefficient HVAC systems, and grime buildup is the greatest enemy of effective circulation. We recommend that you replace your HVAC unit’s air filters every 4 weeks to 3 months. However, be sure to routinely check your air filter, especially during allergy season. It’s time to change the filter when you can’t see the material underneath the dirt buildup, or when you notice significant changes in your home’s air quality.
- Make Adjustments to Your Daily Schedule
By avoiding heat producing activities (like cooking, baking, showering, washing dishes, and doing laundry) during the hot hours of the day, you can help your AC unit run more efficiently. Additionally, if you know you’ll be out of the house for work or other activities turn the temperature settings up in your home beforehand. This allows your AC unit a break when cooler temperatures aren’t necessary. In conclusion, being smart about your daily activity in relation to your HVAC settings can save you a lot more money than most people realize!
- Invest in Maintaining or Replacing Your AC Unit
AC unit replacement is an expensive and often daunting task. However, it is extremely important that you do not put it off when action becomes necessary. Therefore, if you or a professional has determined your AC unit has reached the end of its lifetime, be sure to replace it with an energy efficient, highly rated system. While this investment is certainly expensive now, replacing outdated AC systems sooner rather than later can save you a lot more time, trouble, and money. Older or malfunctioning units always run inefficiently, so unit replacement results in lower energy bills and greater comfort for you and your family!
- Invest in Long Term Shade Trees
If you are willing to hold out for results with long term investments, then shade trees are an eco-friendly and effective option! Even though saplings won’t make a difference when first planted, mature shade trees are extremely proficient at protecting homes from the hot summer sun. If you choose to plant some saplings, be sure to focus on targeting the east and west sides of your home, as well as your AC unit. Protecting these high-heat areas from the sun can significantly save you money in the long run!
- Make Routine Maintenance a Habit
It is well known within the HVAC community that the best way to prepare for any change in season is to ensure ahead of time that your HVAC system is running proficiently. Even if there are no noticeable problems, a certified HVAC technician can easily discover underlying issues that could get in the way of your cooling system working efficiently in the summer.
Make the Call!
Tried and true investments always produce good results, and there’s no better investment in your HVAC system than professional checkups. If you want to kickstart a summer of savings, then you can make the call today. Call Newark-Heath Heating & Cooling today at 740-212-5849, or schedule an appointment now by clicking here!
