With the summer season moving in, it can be easy to crank your thermostat settings down and let your AC unit do the leg-work of keeping your home cool. If you've selected the right AC for your home, it should handle the load without any issues. However, if you are looking for ways to help take some of the load off your AC - causing it to run less and ultimately save energy costs, here are some tips that might interest you.
Use Windows Effectively
Typically at night it cools off nicely. Slightly raise you thermostat settings before bed and crack some windows. This will keep your home cool and fresh. When you get up in the morning, close the windows and draw the curtains shut. This will help keep the hot sun out during the day and lock in the cool air for as long as possible.
Utilize Your Thermostat
In the summer months, set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible. The smaller the difference between indoor and outdoor air, the less energy consumption will take place. When you leave your house, keep it a little warmer than usual. Set it back to the typical settings when you return. This can be done with programming features on most new digital thermostats. Lastly, avoid setting your thermostat to a colder setting than normal. Your home will not cool any faster and puts more pressure on your cooling unit.
Use Ventilation Strategies
A simple ceiling fan will allow you to keep your thermostat settings much warmer without a noticeable reduction in comfort. Remember to turn off fans when you leave the room - fans cool people, not rooms by creating a wind chill effect. When bathing or showering, use your bathroom's ceiling fan to remove heat and humidity from your home. This theory also applies to your laundry room.
Keep Your AC Maintained
It is important to keep your AC maintained regularly. Have a technician look over your unit at least once every season before start up. It is also important to keep the AC clean and free of debris in order for the unit to run to its full capacity.
Appliances and Lighting
Appliances like your fridge, stove, dryer, and other items like lights, TVs, computers and lamps all give off heat. Use lights only at night when you are in that room and take advantage of free sunlight. Wash only full loads of dishes and cloths, and consider air drying. Also by taking short showers instead of baths will reduce heating and energy consumption. Lastly, keep your thermostat away from appliances and lights that give off heat - it will sense the the temperatures cause the AC to run more than needed and cool your home more than expected.
Air Escape
Keep your home sealed from cracks causing hot air to leak in. Weatherstripping on doors and caulking on windows are the first things to look at.
Lower Water Heating Costs
Water heating can account for about 20% of your home's energy consumption. Consider turning down your tank's settings to save energy, and also avoiding possible scalding.
At 4 Seasons Heating, Cooling & Electrical, we are experts in heating, cooling, ventilation, electrical and hot water solutions. Our customers appreciate our ability to manage your home's entire HVAC job - where many other companies rely on multiple external contractors and scheduling conflicts. We are experts at getting all aspects of your HVAC needs done by our team of talented technicians. To schedule a free, no-obligation, on-site quote, call us today at (204) 953-5700. We are Winnipeg's premier HVAC solution.
