Do These 3 Things Before You Drop the Kids Off at School!
Summer break may be drawing to a close, but the summer heat is far from over - there’s still plenty of warm weather to get through before it’s time to turn off the AC and switch over to the heater. Although it may be welcome, all that warmth means the air conditioner has its work cut out for it. And since a home’s HVAC system uses more energy than any other single system or appliance, all that cooling can translate to an inflated utility bill.
Fortunately, there are a few simple and easy ways for homeowners to cut down on their AC usage and save money while the kids are off at school!
Close the Curtains To Keep Sunlight Out
One deceptively simple way to reduce cooling costs and save energy is to keep the home’s blinds, and curtains closed during the day. This is especially important for those windows or sliding glass doors that get a lot of direct sunlight throughout the day.
There’s a reason cats love to take long naps in patches of sunlight - they’re nice and warm. So it’s easy to imagine how a lot of sunshine pouring in through the windows for hours on end can warm things up inside the house. All that extra heat in the house will cause the AC to run longer and work harder to keep the home at the desired temperature. Keeping the house nice and shady will help reduce the AC unit’s workload and cut down on cooling costs.
Raise the Thermostat Temperature a Few Notches
Another great way to improve AC efficiency is to set the thermostat to a higher temperature during daytime hours. The lower the thermostat setting, the more energy will be required to maintain it throughout the day. So by raising the temperature even a few degrees, homeowners can significantly reduce their AC unit’s energy consumption.
This is particularly prudent if the kids are at school all day and the parents are off at work - if no one’s home, there’s not much use in keeping the house extra frosty. And with today’s smart thermostats - many of which are easily controllable from a smartphone miles away and can even detect when the house is empty - this money-saving tactic is virtually effortless.
Replace the Air Filter on Time
Last but not least, homeowners can keep their cooling costs down simply by changing their HVAC air filters on schedule. A filter that’s become caked with dirt, dust, and other pollutants won’t allow air to pass through the filter media, ultimately hindering the whole home’s airflow and putting undue strain on the unit.
The ideal filter replacement schedule depends on the household, but every 3 months should do the trick for the average home. Of course, it’s one of those little maintenance tasks that are notoriously easy to forget about or put off. Fortunately, many of today’s thermostats (particularly smart thermostats) feature automatic filter-change reminders and even performance-tracking notifications to help homeowners stay on schedule.
About Dutch Enterprises
Dutch Enterprises has been handling the HVAC and plumbing needs of Cape Girardeau, MO since 1962. Their licensed and background-checked technicians arrive on time, ready to provide up-front pricing and personalized solutions. They offer 24-hour emergency service, financing, and a highly rewarding maintenance plan. Call now for energy-efficient cooling services!
