Save Money While Staying Comfortable This Summer
With the summer heat, households rely on air conditioning to keep their homes cool and comfortable. However, this can lead to increased cooling costs. If rising energy bills have homeowners stressed, this blog shares some simple tips that can help reduce cooling costs while keeping the home comfortable.
Schedule AC Maintenance and Replace Air Filters
An easy way to help keep energy costs lower, which should also be a standard part of maintaining a home, is to schedule annual air conditioner maintenance and regularly replace AC filters. Dirty air filters force the air conditioning system to work harder, driving up energy costs. However, clean filters allow unrestricted airflow through the system, reducing strain and energy usage. Beyond energy savings, routine air filter replacement also maintains good indoor air quality by trapping dust, pollen, and other airborne particles that can trigger allergies. Most filters need to be replaced every 1 to 3 months. People can check their air filters monthly and replace them when they appear dirty and clogged.
Furthermore, annual AC maintenance can deliver substantial long-term savings on energy bills. A technician will perform tasks during an AC tune-up, including cleaning coils and lubricating moving parts, to keep the air conditioner energy-efficient. They will also inspect the system to identify any sources of inefficiency that may be increasing energy bills, such as checking refrigerant levels, which can reveal a refrigerant leak that is causing higher cooling costs. These important tasks and the ability to catch and address any issues mean regular air conditioning maintenance will ensure the system operates more efficiently and costs less to operate.
Use the Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans that spin counterclockwise in the summer can create a wind-chill effect when used in conjunction with air conditioning, making people feel around 4 degrees cooler without actually changing the temperature. This allows homeowners to save on their cooling costs by raising their thermostat setting by about 4 degrees without sacrificing comfort. This simple strategy can reduce energy bills, as running a ceiling fan uses significantly less electricity than an air conditioner.
For optimal results, ensure ceiling fans rotate counterclockwise during the summer months to create a downdraft that keeps a cool breeze. Ceiling fans can also be used with the heater in the winter by switching the ceiling fan to a low speed and rotating it clockwise. This creates an updraft that circulates warm air that is trapped near the ceiling down and around the space.
Install a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat installation is another way to help reduce energy bills, as they have more advanced features that can save energy compared to traditional manual thermostats or programmable thermostats. Smart thermostats can learn daily routines and automatically adjust temperatures when people are away from home and when they return, ensuring energy savings when the home is empty and providing ideal comfort when it is occupied.
Furthermore, smart thermostats can also feature energy profiles that eliminate the guesswork of energy management by providing detailed energy usage reports that reveal exactly when and how the household consumes electricity. Smart thermostats can also be controlled remotely from smartphones and other devices with a Wi-Fi connection. Savings can also be achieved through other energy-saving features, such as vacation mode and geofencing technology. Households don’t have to sacrifice their comfort this summer to save on cooling costs.
About Triple A Air Conditioning & Heating
Triple A Air Conditioning & Heating is a family-owned company that has been serving the Corpus Christi community for over 40 years. They offer free estimates, straightforward pricing, and beneficial membership plans. Call them for air conditioning services in Corpus Christi, TX.
