4 Tips To Reduce Your Home’s Air Conditioning Costs
Air conditioners are essential to modern homeowners since keeping the house cool as the temperature rises is crucial. As per data from the US Department of Energy, three out of four homes have air conditioners that consume about 6% of the electricity produced nationwide. However, keeping your home’s interior cool during hot weather can hurt your wallet significantly over time, so it is always best to seek reliable ways to spend less on cooling. Please consider the following points if you wish to learn more about reducing your home’s air conditioning costs.
Maintain Your Air Conditioner Properly
Keeping your air conditioner in excellent working condition is also crucial to reduce your cooling costs. As such, you can maintain your unit by changing the air filter every three months. However, you may need to change these filters even more regularly if you live in a dusty environment or own pets. Also, schedule a yearly maintenance checkup so your unit can be checked, cleaned, and maintained by a certified professional. This way, your air conditioner will function more efficiently, reducing your cooling costs.
Keep Your Windows Sealed
Sealing off your house from external heat is undoubtedly crucial to keeping it cool. Since windows are a significant entry and exit point for your home’s heat, keeping them shut on hot days will prevent too much sunlight from creeping into your home. As such, your air conditioner won’t have to work harder to keep the house cooler, lowering your energy costs. Also, you can draw the curtains or blinds over your windows to block out the light and heat.
In addition, consider investing in light-colored window treatments that reflect the sun’s rays. For instance, solar screens for windows block 65% to 90% of the sun’s UV rays to prevent your windows and home from heating up. As such, you will run your air conditioner less frequently to keep the interior comfortable, lowering your cooling costs.
Use Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans have a substantial impact during summertime heat, so consider investing in these fans to reduce your cooling costs. Experts estimate that the wind chill from a ceiling fan can reduce temperatures by 6-7 degrees, cooling any room effectively. Aside from making your interior space cool, fans also increase comfort within your home. If you use an air conditioner, installing ceiling fans is worth considering to help you disperse cool air more efficiently, so keep this in mind. Finally, many experts suggest using ceiling fans alongside raising your thermostat, so prioritize doing both to stay cool and save money.
Install A Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat installation is worth considering to maximize your air conditioner’s efficiency. Smart thermostats are programmable devices that can connect to your home’s Wi-Fi network. They can also be controlled using apps or voice assistant devices like Amazon Alexa. These smart thermostats enable you to schedule temperature changes according to the time of day and tweak your settings even when you are away from home. In addition, some smart thermostats come with geofencing technology, so they can detect your absence from home and adjust your temperature accordingly, saving up to 30% more energy.
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