When people think of high utility bills, they tend to associate them with the winter months, when it seems the cold weather will just never stop coming. Summertime, however, can be just as costly, especially if there are inefficiencies within your home that put more pressure on your HVAC system than it can handle. To help, here are 10 energy saving tips that can save you some hard earned cash this summer:
1. Set your air conditioner thermostat as high as comfortable – we recommend 78ºF or higher when you’re at home, and 85ºF when you’re gone. Keep inside air vents clear from furniture and other objects.
2. Have your central air conditioner tuned up and clean or replace filters monthly for more efficient operation.
3. Minimize indoor heat: run the dryer and dishwasher at night on hot days and let your dishes air dry. Avoid heat-generating incandescent lighting and use a microwave, toaster oven or outdoor grill instead of the oven. It’s best to avoid the use of major appliances between 2 and 8 p.m.
4. Set your water heater to 120ºF.
5. Keep the blinds and windows closed during the day and open at night. This is a no-cost way to keep your home a little cooler.
6. Window, ceiling and whole-house fans are also low-cost ways to stay comfortable.
7. Wash clothes in cold water and clean the lint filter in the dryer after every use.
8. Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use. Plug home electronics, such as TVs, DVD players and computers into power strips and turn off the power strips when the equipment is not in use.
9. Eliminate, or deactivate, extra freezers or refrigerators if you can, especially if they spend the summer outdoors or in a garage. Free refrigerator recycling may be available in some areas.
10. If you have a pool: consider slowly reducing pool filtration time by 30 minute increments daily. Keep on reducing the time as long as the water appears clean. You may find you only need to run your pool filter six hours a day. Install a timer to control the length of time that the pool pump cycles on.
Of course, routine HVAC system maintenance will save you both money and frustration as the summer progresses. We offer an annual maintenance contract that takes the guesswork out of seasonal HVAC maintenance. Click HERE to get in touch with us and learn more today!