It is well known that your air conditioner can cause a 50% rise in your electricity bill. But that is not the end of the story. The good news is that by making some changes in your home, you can reduce the degree to which your AC affects your utility bill.
At Baylor Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, we have found at least 7 ways that are effective at saving energy and cutting air conditioning costs. These are:
1. Use a programmable thermostat
2. Install a ceiling fan
3. Seal your home’s ductwork, cracks and crevices
4. Close the drapes on the south and west sections
5. Clean your AC filters regularly
6. Schedule an annual HVAC maintenance
7. Close all vents
Use a Programmable Thermostat
A great way to save energy and money is to upgrade to a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats can save you up to 30% on your energy bill, so it’s definitely worth the investment. It can even cover its own cost in just one cooling season. With the latest systems, you can adjust your home temperature from wherever you are using your smartphone.
When your home temperature gets to the set level, the programmable thermostat stops the compressor and prevents your AC from using more energy. When you’re home, you can set your thermostat to 25 degrees Celcius (78 degrees Fahrenheit). To save energy, you can set the thermostat to a higher temperature when you are away from home.
Install a Ceiling Fan
Another way to save energy and money is to install a ceiling fan. Ceiling fans help circulate the air in your home, making it feel cooler without actually lowering the temperature. This means you can set your thermostat to a higher temperature and still feel comfortable. Just make sure that when you leave the room, you turn off the ceiling fan so it doesn’t use unnecessary energy.
Seal Your Home’s Ductwork, Cracks and Crevices
One of the biggest ways your home can lose energy is through ductwork leaks. These leaks can cause up to 30% of the air that your AC unit produces to be lost. To prevent this, you should have your ductwork professionally sealed. You can also seal any cracks or crevices around your doors and windows with a caulking gun. This keeps the cool air in and the hot air out.
Close The Drapes on The South And West Sections
During the day, the sun can heat up your home, making it harder for your AC unit to keep it cool. To help combat this, you should close the drapes or blinds on the south and west sections of your home. This will help keep the sun’s heat out and make it easier for your AC unit to do its job.
Clean Your AC Filters Regularly
One of the most important things you can do to maintain your AC unit is to clean the filters regularly. Clogged or dirty filters can cause your air conditioning unit to work harder, using more energy and costing you more money. They can also cause your AC not to cool your home. To clean your filters, simply remove them from the unit and wash them with soap and water. If they’re disposable, you just have to replace them with new ones. Do this at least every month.
Schedule an Annual HVAC Maintenance
Another important way to maintain your AC unit is to schedule an annual HVAC maintenance. This maintenance should be done by a professional and will ensure that your AC unit is running efficiently. A professional can also identify any potential problems with your unit and fix them before they become major issues.
When you sign up for Baylor Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing’s annual service plan, you will receive two precision tune-ups each year – one for your heating unit and one for your cooling unit. These tune-ups keep your units running at their peak efficiency, which saves you money on your energy bill.
Close All Vents in The Lower Levels of Your Home
If you have a two-story home, you can save energy by closing all the vents in the lower levels of your home. This is necessary because cool air will drop while warm air rises. This makes it harder to keep the upper levels cool. By shutting all vents in the lower levels, you can redirect the cool air to the upper levels so you can have even temperatures in your home.
Contact Us For More on Smart Ways to Save Energy And Cut Costs
By following these smart tips, you can save energy and money on your air conditioning costs. Implementing just a few of these tips can make a big difference in your energy bill. So don’t wait, contact Baylor Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing at 812.425.8435 and start saving today!
