Go Green (& Save Money) With These AC Service Hacks
Spring is coming and with it, your AC will soon be going full throttle yet again. Staying cool in the South Florida heat is amazing, but the electrical bill that accompanies it can have devastating consequences on your wallet and the environment. Going green doesn’t mean you need to throw away all comfort. These AC service hacks can help you cut back on your AC usage and not only save cash, but also contribute towards saving the environment.
To The Windows… To The Walls!
Being energy-efficient sometimes means thinking a little bit outside the box. You can use energy-efficient shades over your windows to help keep your home cooler. Remember that direct sunlight into your home will increase the heat inside. By installing energy-efficient shades like cellular shades, you can keep out a minimum of 20% of the heat that would normally enter through unprotected windows.
These are not the same as regular blinds and have a design similar to that of honeycomb, which helps trap the air near your windows. Keep in mind that there are different styles of cellular shading which will provide different levels of window insulation, determine what’s right for you and your budget before heading out to make your purchase.
Maintenance Is Vital
The best way to keep your AC in top condition and running smoothly is to ensure that your AC maintenance is up to date. It’s a surefire way to ensure that your monthly energy bills don’t skyrocket. The professionals at Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric will ensure that your coils are perfect, your filter is flawless and that your thermostat is in tip-top condition.
Stay Low
As we all know, hot air rises. If you’re living in a two-story home, try to avoid being upstairs as much as possible. By sticking to the lower level of your home, you won’t need to constantly adjust your thermostat to help keep you comfortable. The upstairs rooms will be warmer than downstairs meaning your AC will keep running to help keep you cool up there.
Move Things Around
Keeping electrical appliances or heat-generating electronics away from your thermostat will help you. Remember that anything that emits heat near your thermostat will affect the temperature that the thermostat reads. It will read the room temperature to be hotter than it is, causing your AC to run longer than it needs to.
Try to ensure that when having a thermostat installed, to keep it away from direct sunlight. Your professional electrician from Art Plumbing, AC & Electric will be able to advise you on the most suitable spot.
78 Degrees Steady
Fun fact: It is recommended that during summer you keep your thermostat at a steady 78 °F, if you’re away from home it’s advised to keep it slightly warmer than normal. This can lead to an almost 10% savings on your energy bill and by minimizing the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, the better it will be for your yearly energy bill.
Fans Are Friends
Yes, a ceiling fan does use electricity BUT if you make use of your ceiling fan while your AC is on, you could end up saving money.
If you’re able to, you can set your ceiling fan to rotate counterclockwise. If your fan rotates counterclockwise it will create a wind tunnel, which will help funnel the cooler back to the ground. Keeping your room cooler your longer. This means you can have your household AC off for longer periods.
Bonus Tip: Let It Flow!
An extra tip to keep your home cool and energy bill low is to let the airflow in during the night. Open your windows a little bit and enjoy the cool night air.
AC Service & Maintenance In South Florida
For more tips like this, if you have questions about your home’s AC service, or would like to request a consultation, call one of Art’s Home Comfort Specialists today at 1-800-475-1504. Big or small, we fix them all!
