Over the summer, when your air conditioner is getting more use than ever, cooling costs can make up 50 percent or more of your monthly electric bill! With that in mind, we’re sure you’re looking for any way possible way to reduce energy consumption… without sacrificing your home comfort, that is. Fortunately, reducing your electric bill doesn’t mean forgoing AC. Here are five simple ways to cut down on energy costs this summer.
1. Seal Up Air Leaks
If you live in an older home, your windows, doors and attics may not be sealed as tightly as they should be. That means that the cool air your AC works so hard to produce may be escaping from your home, going to waste. Cracks and crevices may also be allowing hot air to trickle inside. Seal up leaks to keep cool air in and hot air out!
2. Strategic Landscaping
The way you landscape can have a significant impact on your AC’s cooling efficiency. Try planting fast-growing trees in areas that will block the sun from shining into windows. You can also plant dense shrubbery along the exterior walls of your home, which will keep the ground cooler, and in turn, keep your home cooler.
By landscaping around your outdoor condenser unit with shady trees, shrubs or even a trellis, you can improve your system’s efficiency by up to 10 percent. Just make sure to keep at least two feet between any landscaping and the unit to maintain sufficient airflow and room for access.
3. Make Use of Blinds, Curtains and Awnings
Simply closing the blinds or closing the curtains when the sun shining directly at a window can help keep your home much cooler. You don’t have to close yourself off to the world completely, though. Just close east-facing windows in the morning and west-facing windows in the afternoon/evening. Adding awnings to the exterior of your home can also do wonders for improving energy efficiency.
4. Switch to a Programmable Thermostat
You can save money by turning your thermostat up a few notches before leaving for work in the morning, but doing so means you’ll have to wait for things to cool back down when you get home. With a programmable thermostat, however, you can set your home’s temperature to fluctuate according to your daily schedule. Some models even allow you to control them remotely from your computer, phone or tablet. By having a programmable thermostat installed, the options for increased comfort and energy savings are essentially endless.
5. Schedule Prevantive AC Maintenance
The more efficiently your AC runs, the less energy it needs to consume to keep you cool. And there’s no better way to keep your air conditioner running smoothly and efficiently throughout the summer than starting the season off with preventative maintenance from a professional HVAC technician.
Save on Your Electric Bill This Summer, Call Colman Heating & Air for Service
At Colman Heating & Air, we provide a variety of energy saving solutions for your air conditioning system. When our experienced technicians perform maintenance on your AC, they’ll not only ensure efficiency, but also prolong the life of your equipment and improve your indoor air quality as well. Give us a call or schedule service online today!
