Now that the summer heat is arriving here in Shawnee, Kansas, the use of AC in the average home is rising. With energy prices higher than ever, that’s going to mean bigger monthly electricity bills for most people. However, there are some ways that you can improve the efficiency of your air conditioner or reduce your need to use it. Doing so can help you to stay cool for less money this summer and beyond. Here are 6 great tips to make it happen.
1. Schedule an AC Maintenance Appointment
The simplest and most effective way for you to stay cool for less money this summer is to schedule a maintenance appointment for your AC. When you do, one of the expert HVAC technicians here at Air Care Heating & Cooling will examine your AC, looking for any problems that may lead to wasted electricity. They’ll also give your AC a tune-up to ensure it keeps working at peak efficiency all summer long. Depending on how long it’s been since your AC had maintenance performed, this can improve its efficiency anywhere from 5% to 15%!
2. Clean Your Outdoor Unit
Another thing you can do to stay cool for less this summer is to clean your AC’s outdoor unit. Since it remains outside all year round, it will often accumulate dirt and debris that harms its efficiency. So, you should start by cleaning up around your outdoor unit, removing any dirt, leaves, or other detritus that you find there. This will ensure adequate airflow around the unit and help it work more efficiently.
Then, you should shut off your AC and use a garden hose to rinse out the condenser fins inside the unit. Flushing out dirt from the fins will make them better able to transfer heat, translating into greater efficiency. If possible, you should do this early in the morning so you can give the unit time to dry before you need to turn it back on.
3. Clean and Open Your Vents
For the most efficient cooling, a central air conditioner depends on its ability to circulate air freely throughout your home. So, if you close any of the vents in your home, you’re robbing the system of the airflow it requires. To stay cool for less, make sure you open all of the vents inside your home, and try not to close any interior doors unless you have to. This will not only prevent your AC from working any harder than it has to but will also help to eliminate hot and cold spots around your home.
4. Close Curtains or Blinds During the Day
Another great tip to stay cool for less this summer is to make it a habit to close the curtains or blinds on your windows during the day. This blocks a substantial amount of solar radiation that would otherwise enter your home and raise its temperature. Depending on the type of curtains or blinds you own, this can reduce solar heat gain by up to 45%. That will reduce your AC demand and help you save money without sacrificing comfort.
5. Install Ceiling Fans
It’s also important to realize that using your air conditioner isn’t the only way to stay cool. You can also install ceiling fans in your home to give you a secondary cooling option. On some days, running your ceiling fans may be all you need to stay comfortable. And, even when you have your AC on, running the fans may allow you to turn up the thermostat a few degrees without really feeling any warmer. Since the fans draw far less electricity than your AC, that will turn into savings you’ll notice immediately.
6. Minimize Appliance Usage
Lastly, you should also avoid using your home’s major appliances during the hottest parts of the day if you can. Doing so can help prevent your AC from getting overwhelmed by the additional heat created by those devices. So, try doing the bulk of your cooking in the evening and tackling your laundry early in the morning, if possible.
Your Go-to HVAC Specialists
Armed with the above tips, you should look forward to energy savings all summer long. And they’re just the beginning. Air Care Heating & Cooling can help you save even more money both now and in the long run on your home’s HVAC needs. We offer complete HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance services to homeowners in and around the Shawnee area. And as a locally-owned and operated HVAC company, we’re uniquely in tune with the needs of homeowners in this area.
So, don’t wait until your summer cooling bills skyrocket, and call Air Care Heating & Cooling to find more ways to save today!
