When the summer months draw near, we start to sweat the prospect of skyrocketing energy costs. This can be especially true of new homeowners – It seems like the only options are to pay out the wazoo or suffer through the sweltering heat. The truth is, it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are a few ways you can keep your home cool this summer without having to go broke in the process.
1: Check the Attic Insulation and Window Seals
If the insulation in your attic is lacking, you will see higher energy costs as the cool air seeps from your home, forcing you to turn on the AC more often. Another common place we see air leaks is the seals around your doors and windows – get those checked out as well.
2: Check the Ducts
Have a professional inspect the ductwork in your home. Air leaks here can cost you hundreds of dollars every year in energy bills. Dust and dirt in your ducts is also bad for air quality and hampers the efficiency of your AC system.
3: Use a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat lets you control the temperature of your home, even when you are out. Some of the smart thermostats on the market now can even be controlled using your smartphone – never come home to a freezing or unbearable hot house again!
4: Close the Blinds and Use Fans
Letting the sun pour through the windows will heat up your home far too quickly. Keep the blinds closed. Run the ceiling fan while you are in certain rooms and turn them off when you are not in those rooms. It’s good to remember that fans cool people, not rooms – so there’s no reason to keep a fan running unless you are in the room.
5: Invest in an Energy-Efficient Air Conditioner
Air conditioning units are more efficient than ever before. The federal government actually mandates that units are built to a certain level of efficiency, known as the SEER rating. These rules get progressively tougher as time goes on. Today, manufacturers must make units with a SEER rating of 14 or higher. If your AC is around 10 years old, you could see efficiency improve by 50% or more simply by investing in a new AC unit.
6: Keep Temperatures Reasonable
In inside temperature of 78 degrees is going to feel like paradise when the summer heat is above 90 outside your home. Keep it comfortable, but not too cool or you’ll be wasting needless money to keep your home colder than it needs to be.
The spring season is a perfect time to make sure your AC unit is ready to tackle the summer without costing a fortune. Check your seals and insulation and schedule a good tune-up and inspection – Schedule your appointment with Hempel Air Today
Recent Comments