It’s already hot and humid in New Tampa, Florida. You may enjoy beating the heat by cranking up the AC, but your wallet is sure to frown when the utility bill shows up. Learning how to use the AC more economically is an excellent way to stay cool while keeping your AC expenses to a minimum. Running the dryer and cooking in the kitchen after sundown will help save on cooling costs as well. The most effective way to increase energy savings, however, is to invest in preventive AC maintenance.
Use a Ceiling Fan
Always set the fan to counterclockwise mode during the summer. This produces a windchill effect because the fan blows air straight down. When it’s really hot outside, put the fan on its highest speed setting to make the room feel six to seven degrees cooler. Always turn the fan off when no one is in the room. Otherwise, you waste energy. It’s important to use a ceiling fan even when the AC is on. It disperses the cooled air more evenly and efficiently, making it easier for the AC to cool the home.
Install a Smart Thermostat
There are many ways to operate the AC more economically. First, set the thermostat to the highest degree possible that still allows you to relax comfortably. The goal is to keep the inside temperature as close to the outside temperature as possible. In doing so, the AC doesn’t have to work so hard to cool your home.
Secondly, pair the AC with a programmable thermostat. Make sure to set the thermostat so that it raises the temperature when you’re sleeping or away from home. You’ll need to create a schedule for the thermostat in order for it to know when you’re away or sleeping. If you don’t have a normal routine, then having a programmable thermostat may be a bit of an inconvenience. You will have to manually adjust the settings on a frequent basis.
Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
With a smart thermostat, you can operate the entire heating and cooling system more economically. The smart thermostat learns your lifestyle patterns, including when you’re away and when you’re sleeping. You can even sync motion sensors to the system so it automatically detects when you leave and get home.
Motion detectors are also advantageous in homes with ductless heating and cooling. Since the inside air units control various zones throughout the home, the motion sensors can alert the ductless system to activate and deactivate the air units according to where it detects motion. This way of heating and cooling a home leads to maximum energy savings.
Invest in Preventive Maintenance
You can install the most advanced smart thermostat and HVAC system, but if you fail to maintain the AC with preventive maintenance, your cooling costs will skyrocket. Dirty air filters restrict airflow, making it difficult for the AC to cool your home. Dirty ductwork, evaporators, and condenser coils will do the same.
The easiest way to take care of the AC is to let a professional HVAC technician take care of it for you. The technician can inspect and clean ductwork and other pertinent components of the cooling system. The number one preventive maintenance task you can tackle is changing the air filter at least once a month.
Avoid Heat-Producing Appliances During the Day
As sunlight makes its way into your home, the indoor temperature rises. The temperature increases even more when you use heat-producing appliances, meaning the AC consumes more energy to maintain your desired temperature. To keep this from happening, consider grilling outside instead of cooking on the stove or using the oven. You can also hang your clothes outside to dry instead of using the dryer. If you choose to use heat-producing appliances, you’ll save more energy by using them after sundown.
One excellent way to minimize sunlight making its way into the home is to install window treatments like plantation shutters, medium-colored drapes, or cellular shades.
Contact Nuccio Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. at 813-961-7895 to learn more about keeping your cooling costs to a minimum. You can also schedule your next preventive HVAC maintenance session.
