Let’s face it, any way that you can save a little money around your house and not change your lifestyle or comfort level is much appreciated. And one of the largest consumers of energy in many households is the HVAC system, and especially the air conditioner. But by following a few or all of these great tips, you can reduce your home’s energy bills and still stay comfortable when relaxing in your home.
- Go Programmable – If you do not have a programmable thermostat, you should seriously consider getting one. It will allow you to schedule your home’s heating and cooling based on when you are home and your desired temperature. Most units offer the ability to plan on a seven-day cycle, a weekday and weekend cycle, or even a smart setting that learns your habits and adjusts the temperature setting accordingly.
- Insulation Is Essential – Most homes lose the majority of their heated or cooled air through the basement and attic. Improving the insulation between your living space and these two areas will significantly enhance your home’s efficiency. You should also look for leaks around doors, windows, and any other gaps over ¼ inch. Fill any of these spaces with caulk or expandable spray foam to stop the warm air loss in the winter and cool air in the summer.
- Use Fans – You might think that the energy used to operate a ceiling fan would cancel out any benefit from reducing the work or your AC or furnace, but that is not the case. Moving air in your home to balance the temperature can allow you to adjust your thermostat by as much as 4 degrees and not feel any difference in your comfort level. Just remember to turn the fans off when you are not in the room. Your comfort level will not change, but your energy bill will drop.
- Beware Of The Sun – While many homeowners are happy to supplement their energy with solar, you should not forget that the sun’s heat will warm your home, even when you don’t want it to. Shading your home, and especially the windows, will be a great help in keeping the temperature inside more comfortable in the hot months. Planting deciduous trees to shade your home will provide year-round benefits. In the summer, the trees will block the sun, but in the winter, they will drop their leaves and allow the sun to warm your home. In spaces where you cannot block the sun from outside your home, be sure to install blinds or thermal curtains to help keep out the suns warmth in the summer months.
- Schedule Appliance Use Carefully – Many of the appliances in your home produce a significant amount of heat when they are in use. Plan on running your dishwasher and clothes dryer in the cooler hours to reduce the heat in your home. It is also helpful if you can air-dry some clothing and turn off the drying cycle on your dishwasher. If you are cooking a meal that needs to bake in the oven for several hours, consider cooking it early in the morning or late at night and reheating it at dinner time to avoid heating up your home. And a surprise activity that heats your home is showering. The hot water increases the temperature and humidity in your home, making it feel much warmer. Keep showers short and limit the time to early morning and later at night.
- Replace Your Old AC – Your HVAC system uses about 50% of all the energy consumed by your home. And because your AC unit is a massive part of that energy use, replacing it could drastically decrease your energy bill. If your unit is over 15 years old, call (318) 202-9144 for a professional inspection by a Gordon AC & Plumbing professional. Our factory-trained technicians will evaluate your air conditioner’s operation and efficiency and let you know if it is time to start planning on a replacement.
Every home operates on a budget. And discovering simple ways to reduce your energy bill can be very helpful. That extra few dollars each month can be set aside to help cover unexpected issues like AC service or replacing the thermostat when it fails. If any of these tips have caused you to stumble onto something that you think is not operating correctly in your air conditioner or HVAC system, please call (318) 202-9144 to schedule an appointment with a Gordon AC & Plumbing expert. We will provide you with a free cost estimate for any repairs that are needed. And all of our work is covered by our comprehensive warranty.
