Saving Money On Air Conditioning Operation

Here are some helpful tips on saving energy during the cooling season. Some you may have thought of already and some may be new to you.

1. First, make sure you have your system serviced every year, if possible. A service is cheap compared to a compressor replacement. And don't wait until the last minute; the hotter it gets, the busier the service techs will be. (Also, read the article Simple Spring Check-Up for your A. C. System. and do whatever you feel comfortable with.)

2. Keep curtains, shades, and drapes closed during the hottest parts of the day. The solar gain from the sun can increase the cooling load significantly. This will also protect furniture and floors from sun damage.

3. Change or clean the filter every month. Permanent filters should be washed or at least vacuumed regularly, and disposable types should be replaced. This is the most often ignored maintenance item, yet one of the easiest things to do. Dirty filters can cause numerous and expensive problems.

4. Make sure your home's insulation is the best it can be. Insulation is much less expensive than electricity and adds to the overall comfort of your home during both summer AND winter.

5. Check to see if the attic space is properly ventilated. An attic with poor ventilation can reach more than 150 degrees Fahrenheit (F). If you have an air handler in the attic, it has a difficult time cooling because of the high ambient temperature. Also, in attics where the insulation is minimal, the ceilings can get over 90 degrees F, acting like radiant ceiling heat. Installing an attic ventilating fan will go a long way toward cooling the attic area, and it will pay for itself in energy savings. And check to see that your ridge vent, if you have one, isn't covered over with roofing paper. Sometimes contractors forget to cut out the roofing paper at the peak, which blocks the flow of air and makes the ridge vent useless

6. Install ceiling fans and let them run, blowing down in summer. The fan motor costs very little to run compared to the outdoor compressor and increases indoor comfort. Fans circulate air quicker and help lower the temperature faster. Moving air feels cooler, so you can raise the thermostat setting a few degrees. Even floor fans will help.

7. Keep the outdoor condenser unit clear all the way around at least 3 feet, with a minimum 5-foot clearance at the top. Keep dry grass, leaves, and other debris off the outdoor coils to maintain proper airflow. (See Simple Spring Check-Up for your A. C. System.)

8. Don't expect miracles! Residential cooling systems are designed to work on a 20-degree temperature difference. That means if the outdoor temperature is 92 degrees F, the indoor temperature will not get much lower than 72 degrees. They are designed this way to ensure proper dehumidification. Taking the humidity out is more important to the comfort level in the home than real temperature. Cold air with too much moisture feels cold and clammy.

9. Don't set the temperature back more than 4 degrees F when you're not at home. Cooling systems have to work harder to overcome the larger temperature difference. Unlike heating systems, cooling systems take a much longer time to achieve the desired temperature.

10. Run dryers, ovens, and dishwashers during the cooler parts of the day. Another tip: Firing up the grill keeps all the cooking heat OUTSIDE (and tastes great!).

11. Make sure all supply registers and return grills are not blocked in any way by furniture, curtains, trashcans, plants, etc., and keep them clean of dust and pet hair so air can flow freely

By following these energy-saving tips, you should see a noticeable decrease on your home electric bill.

Heating
Cooling
Advice