Air conditioning is a life saver in the summertime, especially in a state like North Carolina. But it can also be a wallet killer. In warm climates, an air conditioner can account for as much as 70% of a home’s entire electric bill.
Fortunately there are some ways to trim your costs without sacrificing your comfort. Below are five ways to save on your air conditioning this summer.
How to Save on A/C This Summer
Consider the following tips to reduce your air conditioning’s effect on your electricity bill this summer.
1. Conduct an Audit
A lot of dollars slip right out of your home in the form of cold air. Houses, especially older ones, are prone to having small leaks around windows, doors, and attics where air can escape.
Turn your air conditioning on and then walk around the outside of your house feeling around door and window seals. If you feel cold air coming out, use some caulk to seal up the crack.
2. Get Smart
A smart thermostat regulates your air conditioning use by turning your air on and off according to when you’re home or away. And they can be programmed remotely with a mobile app. Even just a programmable thermostat can lead to increased savings over a manual one.
3. Position it Right
Sometimes a thermostat is placed in a spot where it receives direct sunlight through a window. This tricks the thermostat into thinking it’s hotter than it actually is and triggers it to turn on when it isn’t necessary.
Place your thermostat in a spot where it will not receive any direct sunlight and away from any heat-absorbing windows to ensure more accurate temperature readings and less unnecessary use.
4. Turn on the Fan
A ceiling fan can not only boost your comfort level but it’s also a lot cheaper than an air conditioner to run. In fact, the cost to run a ceiling fan is less than 1% than that of a central air unit. Turn your thermostat up a few degrees and then turn your ceiling fans on to keep the air circulating about the house and your energy bill at bay.
5. Keep Sunlight Out
Sunlight warms your house, which in turn causes you to rely more on your air conditioner. Keep window blinds or curtains closed during the hottest part of the day. And if you can plant any trees or shrubs on the sun-facing side of your house, that will help keep some of the heat off your home.
Start With a Checkup
Before planting trees or moving your thermostat around, have your air conditioner inspected by a professional. Air conditioners can lose efficiency due to aging or faulty parts, leaks, rust and corrosion, buildups of dirt and debris, and more. And the less efficient your air conditioner is, the harder it will have to work and the more expensive it will be to run.
We offer a spring service check designed to get your air conditioner ready for the summer months. Schedule your checkup today and save big this summer.