Tips On How To Save Money On Air Conditioning This Summer
We all see a spike in our energy bills over the summer when it’s hot, and we run the air conditioner to cool our homes. Still, many of us probably
don’t realize how much energy usage goes toward keeping us comfortable and how much of those costs are merely from our daily living. Here is a quick rundown of the percentage of energy usage in a typical Dallas, Texas home during the summer:
- TV and Media Equipment: 3 percent
- Lighting: 12 percent
- Appliances: 20 percent
- Water heating: 14 percent
- Air conditioning and heating: 47 percent
Since a typical AC system consumes a large amount of energy to cool your home, limiting power use and maximizing your HVAC system’s energy efficiency make sense.
Simple rules to save money on your summer air conditioning:
Replace Your Air Filters
Dirty air filters restrict air flow, causing the blower motor in your air conditioning system to work harder to move air and cool your home. Replace your air filters regularly, based on the size and type your system requires.
Increase Circulation With Ceiling Fans
Here is a little science: although fans don’t actually cool the air in a room, air from a moving fan will make the people in that room feel cooler due to convection and evaporation. Set your ceiling fan to spin counterclockwise in the summer to push the air down onto your family, helping them feel cooler. Then, during the winter, reverse your ceiling fan to spin clockwise, which will help the warm air trapped on your ceiling circulate without the direct breeze making you feel cold.
Turn Your Thermostat Up To 78°F In Summer And Down To 65°F In Winter.
Every extra degree warmer in the summer or cooler in the winter will save you money. To stay comfortable, remove layers in the summer and use blankets or add extra layers in the winter to keep you comfortable all year, while saving you money on energy costs.
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Annually Service Your Air Conditioning and Heating System
A well-maintained HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system will run more efficiently than a failing one, even if it appears to be
working. Since AC systems usually fail during the heat of summer or the cold of winter, annual maintenance checks help diagnose minor issues before they require costly repairs at the most inconvenient times.
Close Your Window Blinds
The least insulated area of your home is your windows, and even the most energy-efficient windows are merely made of glass and don’t compare in insulating value (R-value) to an insulated wall or ceiling. Therefore, closing your blinds will help keep your home cooler in the summer by blocking direct sunlight from heating it and by providing an additional layer of insulation against outside heat.
Don’t Block Inside Vents Or Outside Units
Airflow is critical to the efficiency of an air conditioning system, and blocked vents can cause hot and cold spots in your home. Making sure both the supply and return vents inside your home are free of blockages will help your AC system keep your home cool. In addition, keeping your outdoor condenser unit clear of debris and shrub growth will help your system run at peak efficiency.
Dust And Vacuum To Prevent Clogged Filters
A clean home is healthy for your personal health and your air conditioning and heating system. Pet hair, dander, dust, microplastics, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), if not kept under control, will be stirred into the air and ultimately sucked through your AC system and trapped in your filter. Yes…that is the purpose of an air filter; however, as we noted above, a clogged filter will cause your AC system to run harder and less efficiently.
Close Off Rooms Of Your Home That Are Not Used
There is no sense in cooling a room that no one ever uses, so by closing the air vents in those rooms and the doors leading to them, you won’t be wasting money conditioning air that no one breathes.
Although saving money on household air conditioning use is difficult, we hope you can use all of these money-saving tips in your Dallas, Texas, home this summer to reduce your overall energy costs.
