With summer just around the corner, Central Ohians are already starting to see some high 80s days in the weekly forecast. Many people’s immediate response is to crank up the AC when the days get hot. However, we at Westerville Air Conditioning & Heating know that there are so many opportunities for summer savings. So we put together 10 ways to lower your home cooling costs this summer without sacrificing you and your family’s comfort.
- Let Your Ceiling and Floor Fans do the Work!
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!
- Uh oh, Sunny Days are Here Again
Summer sunlight is an extremely powerful source of energy and heat, so curtains and blinds are lifesavers. Simply covering your windows during the day can help your air conditioning unit work more efficiently.
- Mesh Window Screens Work too!
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.
- Seal the Deal
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!
- Adjust Your Goals and 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.
- Schedule Air Filter Replacements
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.
- Think Through Your Summer 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!
- Stay in Touch With Reality
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 Eco-Friendly Options
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!
- Start the Season off Right!
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.
Seal the Deal
Since the best way to seal the deal on your summer savings this season is to schedule a routine check-up, we suggest that you call Westerville Air Conditioning & Heating today at 614-810-0075, or schedule an appointment now by clicking here! Our certified technicians are dedicated to giving our customers the best service that Central Ohio can offer, so call us today!
