Here you’ll find strategies to help you save energy and keep costs down during the spring and summer when the weather is warm and you are trying to keep your home cool. Some of the tips below are free and can be used on a daily basis to increase your savings; others are simple and inexpensive actions you can take to keep energy affordable through the spring and summer.
5 Tips To Save Energy This Summer
1. Use your windows to save energy and keep out heat.
During the day one of the best things you can do to save energy is to keep your windows covered. It can be with either blinds, drapes, films or curtains. Having the ability to stop the direct sunlight from entering your house will go a long way to save energy. About 76% of the direct sunlight that comes in through your windows is converted to heat in your home. For more information on how to use your windows to save energy, click here.
2. Setting your thermostat to save energy.
During the day, if no one is home, turn your thermostat up a few degrees. Remember, the further the inside of your home temperature is from the outside temperature, the less you save energy. You can also use the blower on your furnace to circulate air. Most two story homes are warmer upstairs than downstairs. This is due to the thermostat being on the first floor. Often times the thermostat is satisfied long before the temperature upstairs is comfortable. By having your fan move your air constantly, the upstairs will get closer to the downstairs temperature. Most modern furnaces now have energy efficient blower motors that don’t use all that much energy.
3. Cleaning the condenser coils on the outdoor air conditioner can save energy.
Go outside to your air conditioning unit and make sure it is free of obstructions such as grass, weeds, vines and globs of leaves and debris. Though a professional HVAC service tech can do this better, you can clean the condenser coils. First turn off the power to the unit. Next, get yourself a bottle of dish detergent, ideally one that is about 80 to 90% empty. Fill it with water to make a soapy solution. Then squirt this soapy solution on the outside front of the air conditioner. You should be squirting through some kind of vents or caging to the condenser coils. On most units these are visible on three sides. Get them soapy and after a few minutes of soaking time, use a garden hose to spray the soap away. You’ll see dirty water and debris flow away from the unit. Give it an hour to dry up before restoring the power.
4. Think about how you use your appliances to save energy.
Washers, dryers, dishwashers, bath fans, lighting and showers can, when used properly, save you money during the summer. When you do a load of dishes or wash a load of clothes, make sure it is a full load. Each time the dishwasher or clothes washer is running it puts out some heat. By having less loads it keeps your air conditioner running less. Make sure the dryer vent is sealed tight and is clean. Having a clean dryer vent will allow your clothes to dry faster and prevents one of the most common reasons for house fires. Make sure when you take a shower you use your bath fan. Expelling the hot humid air from your shower to outside is very helpful. Lastly, picking lights that don’t generate heat can help too. Most LED lights now days do not create much heat they also don’t use very much energy.
5. Keep heat from entering your home.
One of the most overlooked ways to save energy is to keep heat from entering your home. A few ways to do this is by sealing up all cracks around your windows, doors, and foundation. The seal around your door gets beat up over time and may need to be replaced every few years. You could also take a look at the insulation in your attic. One of the best ways to make your home more energy efficient in the winter and summer is to add some insulation to your attic.
Summary
If your air conditioner still can’t keep up and cool your house after you’ve replaced the filters and cleaned the condenser coils, call Rock Valley HVAC to do an AC inspection to determine the problem. On the other hand, an annual Comfort Care Membership will keep your air conditioning running well and you’ll just need to replace air filters regularly. We can be reached at 608-247-4949 by texting or calling. Or you can click on the Book Online button at the top of the page to schedule an appointment!
