Summer is here in the Seacoast region, and it’s getting hot outside. That means keeping your home cool and comfortable can be more costly.
But your air conditioning bills don’t have to go into the stratosphere! We have four ways you can save on energy costs without having to sacrifice a smidgen of comfort.
The United States Department of Energy offers some guidance on how to set and program your thermostat for more efficient cooling.
When you’re home and awake, set the air conditioning to 78°F. That allows you to be cooler without being too cold and using too much energy.
Increase the air conditioner setting to 85˚ during the hours you’re out of the house.
When you increase the thermostat temperature by 7˚ to 10˚ for eight hours a day, you can save 10% on your cooling costs!
If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, get in touch with us! We sell and install them.
A dirty air conditioning filter means your air conditioning is struggling to do its work. Check the filter once a month and replace as needed to reduce cooling costs by up to 15%.
One more benefit to changing the air filter is that it can help reduce dust intake into your cooling system, which could mean an even longer lifespan for your A/C.
This applies both indoors and out.
Indoors, make sure vents bringing the cooled air into your rooms aren’t obstructed by curtains, furniture, or other objects. Blocked or obstructed vents force the air conditioning to cycle on more often, adding to your energy costs.
Ensure there is at least three feet of space around the air conditioner, and trim back any plants or shrubbery within that area. Remove debris such as leaves, twigs, and clippings near the A/C as well.
You may be thinking, “Why do I need fans? That’s what the A/C is for!” Ceiling fans set at counterclockwise will push cool air down where it belongs, keeping the cooled air in the floor. Also, circulated air feels cooler so you don’t need to set a low temperature to feel comfortable.
Contact P. Gagnon & Son for all your home’s air conditioning needs!