As the summer heat begins to take its toll on you, the last thing that you want to do is think about the massive utility bill that will arrive soon. Like many homeowners, you are forced to find the right balance between your comfort level and the cost of cooling your home. And unfortunately, it appears that you cannot be happy with both at the same time. However, if you follow a few simple tips and tricks that we are going to provide for you, you will be able to enjoy a cool and comfortable home, as well as a manageable cooling bill.
- Keep All Of The Air You Are Cooling – You can’t really seal your entire home. Some cool air will escape when you are opening the door to come and go. But you can limit the amount of cool air that is escaping around leaky doors and windows. Use a candle or incents stick to see if you have air leaks around windows and doors. Simply move the candle or incents around the door or window and see if the smoke is drawn into cracks and escaping outdoors. If the smoke can get through, so can your cool air. Caulk around window and door frames and add foam seals to help keep your cool air inside your home. Also, inspect the amount of insulation in your attic and crawl space. Insufficient insulation can allow your cooled air to escape through floors and ceilings.
- Change Your Air Filters – You might not think that your AC air filter does an important job. But that is incorrect. The filter is designed to prevent dust and dirt from entering and damaging your AC’s mechanical components. And when that filter becomes clogged with dust and dirt, from doing its job, it also reduces the airflow into your AC. This dust and dirt make your air conditioner work harder than necessary. And that means that your energy bill is going to increase. Check your filter each month and replace it when it becomes covered in dust and particles.
- Programmable Thermostat – Installing a programmable thermostat will quickly pay for itself in energy savings. These units allow you to increase your home’s temperature a few degrees when you are sleeping or away from home to save a significant amount of energy and money. The unit cools your home back to your ideal temperature just before you wake up or when you are about to arrive home. This feature is also the perfect way to save energy when you are on your summer vacation and don’t care that the house is a few degrees warmer.
- Regular Maintenance – Just like an oil change and tune-up can increase your cars fuel efficiency, regular service and maintenance will also increase the energy-efficiency of your air conditioner. Call (512) 910-8123 early in the spring to schedule your AC service appointment. We are less busy early in the season, so scheduling is much less challenging. You will then know that your AC is ready to do its job whenever the summer temperatures rise.
- Apply Some Science – Your AC fan should be running on the high speed during average hot summer days. But when the humidity increased, you should turn the fan down to the low setting. Slower air circulation will help remove the moisture from the air and help you feel more comfortable without increasing the workload on your AC.
- Beware Of Heat Sources – Your oven and clothes dryer release a great deal of heat into your home. Try to reduce the use of these appliances during the hottest part of the day to lessen your AC unit’s workload. Also, be sure to close blinds and curtains to block out the warm sunlight, causing certain rooms to be hotter and more uncomfortable. Be especially careful of any window that could allow sunlight to shine on your thermostat directly and result in inaccurate temperature readings.
Following some or all of these helpful tips is sure to provide you with a comfortable home and a lower utility bill this summer and every year to come. If you have questions or concerns about your air conditioner or need service or a repair, call (512) 910-8123 to speak with an Parobek Plumbing & Air Conditioning professional. We offer same-day and emergency service, so you are never forced to endure discomfort in your home this summer.
