Tips for Maximizing Your AC This Summer and Save on Energy Bills

During summer, homeowners use more energy to cool their homes, increasing utility costs. However, you can get the most out of your cooling system without breaking the bank. This article outlines five tips for maximizing your AC this summer.

Air Seal and Insulate Your Home

Summer heat and hot air can infiltrate your home through building materials, including the roof and exterior walls. Insulation protects against this heat transfer. Cracks and leaks can also let hot outdoor air into your space. Air sealing will help seal all the holes and little gaps through which warm air sneaks in. When the conditioned cool air can’t escape, or the heat can’t find its way in, your home’s energy efficiency increases, and the AC doesn’t work as much.

This reduces energy bills, keeps your indoors cooler, and maintains comfortable temperatures throughout your home. The common areas to air seal for significant energy efficiency include the connection between your home and the attached garage, attic floors, crawl spaces, and basements.

Regularly Clean and Replace Air Filters

Dirty and clogged air filters require your AC system to work harder to push air through the system, resulting in high energy usage and increased energy bills. Clean HVAC filters increase energy efficiency while improving indoor air quality. Changing your AC filters regularly extends your HVAC’s life, ensuring that the system lives up to total life expectancy. This saves you premature replacement costs.

Regular maintenance ensures frequent HVAC filter replacements and cleaning, preventing damage and reducing repair costs. Cleaning or changing your air filters regularly ensures that clean air goes through with ease, maintaining the right indoor temperature and enhancing comfort.

Use Your Programmable Thermostat Wisely

Summer thermostat settings differ between homes due to temperature and humidity changes. Setting your thermostat at a higher temperature in summer slows heat flow into your home, reducing energy usage. If you don’t set your thermostat correctly, it will be challenging to save money and energy. When programming the thermostat, consider when you go to sleep and wake up. If no one is home during the day, adjust the temperature accordingly.

Your thermostat’s location can also impact its efficiency and performance. For your thermostat to operate efficiently, keep it away from direct sunlight, skylights, doorways, windows, and drafts. Install it where natural room air currents occur. Look at the manufacturer’s installation guidelines to avoid unnecessary AC or furnace cycling or ghost readings.

Utilize a Ceiling Fan

Ceiling fans compliment your cooling unit, maximizing energy efficiency and reducing cooling costs. During fan summer, set your ceiling fan blades to spin counterclockwise. When the fan turns in this direction fast, it pushes air down, creating a cool breeze. This maintains your space’s temperature consistency and lessens the need for your AC to run constantly. Your ceiling fan blade angles should be set to 12 degrees minimum for maximum cooling.

Maximizing Your AC This Summer – Close Your Window Blinds

During hot summer days, the sun shines on your windows, heating your interior and increasing energy usage. Closing your blinds keeps your home from direct sunlight and prevents your home from gaining unwanted solar heat, reducing energy usage.

Endnote

Summertime comes with a lot of heat and warm air that can wreak havoc on your HVAC.  Maximizing your AC this summer will allow you save money on energy bills and we hope that these tips will be of help.