Save Energy And Money This Summer: 10 Smart Ways

Written on: July 20, 2020

With the amount of time we’re spending at home this COVID-19 summer, your air conditioner will be working overtime – and your energy bills will show it.
Want to keep those cooling bills as low as possible in the coming months?

Home Cooling Energy Tips:

1. Program your thermostat. Used properly, a programmable thermostat could help you save 10 percent on cooling (and heating) costs – often enough to offset the cost of the unit in a single year.
2. Use your ceiling fan. Running a ceiling fan in tandem with your home cooling system will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about four degrees without affecting your comfort; each degree you raise temperatures in your home will save you about one percent on your bill.
3. Minimize your use of heat-producing appliances. The last thing you want to do on a 100-degree day is turn on a 400-degree oven, giving your air conditioner one more cooling load obstacle to overcome. Grill outside when you can.
4. Mind your windows. Up to 30 percent of the unwanted heat in your home comes through the windows, so it’s a good idea to pay attention to your window treatments and how you use them. Check out this link from the U.S. Department of Energy for some window covering tips.
5. Clean/change HVAC filters regularly. A blocked air filter will reduce airflow from your home cooling system. That will not only raise your energy bills – it will also make your home less comfortable and cause your system to overwork, leading to poorer performance and a possible breakdown.
6. Add insulation. Insulation, in summer? You bet! Proper insulation helps keep cool air in and hot outdoor air out during the summer, and it’s one of the best bang-for-your-buck ways to save money on energy bills. For tips on where, how, and how much to insulate your home, check out this article from the Department of Energy.
7. Check your ductwork. As much as 20 percent of the air you paid to cool (or heat) could be escaping from leaky ductwork before it ever reaches your living space. Conduct a visual inspection of your ductwork where possible to rule out any obvious problems, and consider having them professionally inspected to rule out leaks elsewhere in the system. If you find significant leakage, a professional duct sealing could be a worthwhile investment.
8. Maintain your equipment. Without regular maintenance, your air conditioner will lose an average of about five percent efficiency each year. Of course efficiency improvements aren’t the only benefit of servicing your equipment: you’ll also get more reliable system operation, avoid costly repairs, and extend the life of your equipment.
9. Replace old cooling equipment. Upgrading to a high efficiency central or ductless A/C unit could save you up 30 percent on energy bills compared to older cooling systems. If your cooling system is older than 10 years and has been serviced two or more times in recent years, it’s time to shop for a replacement.
10. Plan ahead. Summer is a great time to set yourself up for year-round savings, too: whether you use heating oil or propane, it pays to enroll in EZ Pay, which levels out monthly payments and gives you a 15-cent per gallon discount (we also offer senior citizen discounts by the gallon). Set up automatic payments with electronic funds transfer (EFT) and we’ll also give you a $25 fuel credit.

Need more ideas about lowering the cost of your home comfort? We’ve got ‘em! Contact the efficiency pros at Ace-Robbins today to learn more about air conditioning maintenance in northeastern PA – and much more!