According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average household spends half of its utility budget on heating and cooling. That means that most homes can substantially benefit from discovering ways to help their air conditioner do its job more effectively. In addition, every bit of increased energy efficiency you can facilitate will put money back in your pocket.
The tips below are easy to follow and, in most cases, will cost nothing but your time. The reward will be a nice pile of cash that you can turn into something fun this summer.
Cleaning Around the Condenser Unit
The condenser unit on an air conditioner is the piece of equipment outside your house that dissipates the hot air from inside your home. For this apparatus to work efficiently, it needs good airflow on all sides of the enclosure. By trimming grass and plants away from the condenser and removing debris, you will ensure that it eliminates heat as quickly as possible.
Vacuuming Vents
The AC vents in your home should be cleaned each time you vacuum the floor. Dust, pet hair, and other debris can get caught in the vent cover and impede the flow of that nice cool air. For floor vents, remove the cover and vacuum down inside the duct for maximum benefit and cooling.
Going Programmable Is Super Effective
Experts say that an adjustment of only a few degrees can save much money on your cooling bills. But who remembers to turn the thermostat up a few degrees before heading out the door to work? You can remove the possibility of human error by installing a programmable thermostat. The program will reset the temperature when you are at work or school, but ensure that it is nice and cool when you return. Experts agree that a programmable thermostat will pay for itself in a single year in energy savings.
Beware Of Your Thermostat Location
Be sure to keep lamps and other heat-producing appliances away from your thermostat. Artificially increasing the temperature at the thermostat will result in the AC working overtime to cool that area. The result can also be too much AC in other parts of your home and a significant energy waste.
The Benefit Of Curtains And Blinds
We all like to see the sunlight streaming into our homes. But when it is baking the thermostat, you are paying way too much for your AC energy. Just like having a lamp near the thermostat, the sun will create artificial heat and cost you money. In addition, closing out the sun will help keep the temperature in your home cooler and lessen the workload on your AC system.
Don’t Add To Household Heat
If you can avoid baking, cooking a large meal, or running your clothes dryer a few days each week, you will see a nice drop in your electric bill. All of these activities add heat to your home and make your AC work even harder. If you need to use these appliances, try doing it in the evening when it is cooler outside to lessen the impact on your home’s temperature.
The final tip for maximizing your air conditioner’s efficiency is a little professional TLC. An annual inspection, cleaning, and tune-up from the pros at Payne’s Heating and Air Conditioning is the best way to keep your AC in peak condition. It will also ensure that a minor problem does not turn into a much more costly and significant issue that leaves you in a sweltering house with no cool air this summer. Call (850) 831-4599 to schedule your AC service today.
