Every year, the summers seem to start earlier and warmer.
In this kind of heat, your air conditioning system may struggle to successfully combat the ever-rising temperatures. Though we may hole-up in our homes, our AC systems still whir and fluctuate against the heat. In the summer, you may notice an increase in your utility bills and a warming of your home as your AC system struggles to maintain cool temperatures. You want your AC system to get the job done and not spend a fortune! We have some easy tips to help you slice those AC bills this summer as well as help your air conditioning keep your home cool as efficiently as possible.
1) Turn-off lights & Electronics
When we stay indoors during the hot summer days, families often spend time watching TV, browsing the internet, or reading by lamplight (since our curtains are closed to block out the heat from the sun). Often, we forget that these electronics throw heat themselves. If you stand in front of your television after it has been on for an hour, you’ll be able to feel the warmth emanating from it. Lamps and light-fixtures also throw heat, along with dryers and dishwashers. Even laptops and computers, to a smaller degree, add warmth to the indoor air. It is popularly known that ovens and stovetops will warm your kitchen when cooking. Similarly, televisions and lights heat your home when left on. In the summer, be sure to turn-off any lights that are not being actively used, and maybe give your TV a break. You can opt for energy-saving light bulbs, or decide to grill outside instead of cooking on the stove inside. Managing the time your electronics are turned on can help cut down on your air conditioning bills.
2) Get Out of the House
“No way,” you may think. “I’m sweating just looking outside!” Though you fear it may be unpleasant, getting out of your house can help your home be cooler when you return. Like your oven and electronics, your own body warms the air of your home. When you’re away, and all of your electronics are turned-off, your AC only has to worry about fighting the heat coming from the outside. To keep cool yourself, window-shop through brisk malls or rest in chilly movie theaters.
3) Use Fans
Box fans, tower fans, ceiling fans, and more! Using fans to complement your air conditioning system is a great way to keep your cold air moving. Circulating the cold air throughout your home helps stabilize indoor temperatures and keep all of your rooms cool, preventing hot spots and cold spots. Fans are especially useful in the evening (when the outdoors have cooled) to spread cold air throughout your home. By keeping cold air circulated, your air conditioning will not have to struggle to keep cooling warmed air.
4) Defend with Leafy Landscaping
When you’re spending the afternoon out of your house to give your AC a break, take the time to plant bushes and shrubs along the exterior of your home. Most of the heat that your home collects comes from direct sunlight. Just like you use curtains and blinds to cover your windows and block-out the heat, so can trees and bushes protect your home from the glare of the sun. The less direct sunlight your home is faced with, the easier it will be to cool your home. Trees in your yard or tall bushes along your foundation will dramatically improve your AC’s efficiency and reduce your energy costs.
5) Check your Insulation
Your home’s insulation plays a vital role in the cooling of your home. If you are lacking proper insulation in your attic or external walls, your home is essentially “leaking” cold air. Insulation in your attic keeps the heat pressing through the roof out of your home, while also keeping-in the cold air. Insulation in your external walls also keeps-out the unwanted hot air and keeps-in the wanted cool air. When your insulation is old, improperly installed, or nonexistent, your home’s cold air leaks-out. Maintain your home’s cold air by calling a professional insulation contractor or technician to assess your home’s current insulation. An insulation professional can provide you the best insight and the most effective installation services. When your insulation is in tip-top shape, your AC system does not have to struggle to cool your home.