As temperatures steadily rise in Maryland, you will want to ensure your home is ready to endure hot summer days.
While we all want to escape the blistering heat, disappearing into our cool and comfy homes comes at a cost. But keeping cool doesn’t have to break your bank. There are several things you can do to keep your energy costs down.
Presidential Heating and Air Conditioning in Gaithersburg, MD, understands the challenges of managing rising temperatures and energy bills. In this blog post, you’ll learn great DIY tips and simple yet effective updates to make your air conditioner work more efficiently during the heat of the summer. According to Energy.Gov, you could reduce your AC energy usage by as much as 20-50% by implementing these suggestions.
Use an ENERGY STAR Rated AC Unit:
Your air conditioning unit accounts for 12% of your energy expenditures during the summer months. By replacing an older, less efficient ac unit with a newer ENERGY STAR rated model can help you reduce those cost by 20-40%.
Maintain Your AC Unit:
Regular AC maintenance is crucial to keeping it running efficiently. You can replace or clean your air filter routinely, make sure nothing is blocking your vents, and remove any debris from around your unit to ensure nothing blocks the air flow.
Schedule an AC maintenance check-up to inspect the unit’s evaporator and condenser coils, and refrigerant level. Well-maintained AC units can cool your home faster, require less energy, and have longer lifespans.
Invest in a Smart Thermostat:
A smart thermostat allows you to adjust the temperature of your home remotely, which can be a significant advantage over traditional thermostats. Setting the temperature higher when you are away from your home can cut your energy bills without compromising your comfort. When investing in a smart thermostat, look for the ENERGY STAR label.
Only smart thermostats that earn the ENERGY STAR label have been independently certified, based on actual field data, to deliver energy savings. In addition, ENERGY STAR-certified smart thermostats are required to enter a low-power standby mode when inactive, saving you even more energy.*
Install Ceiling Fans:
Ceiling fans are an excellent way to keep your home cool without relying entirely on your AC unit. They circulate air throughout the room, creating a breeze that can make you feel more comfortable. Ceiling fans use less energy than air conditioners and can be used alone during the early cooler days of summer or with your AC unit during those red-hot days.
Insulate and Seal Ducts:
Insufficient insulation is one of the most common causes of home energy loss. Insulating and sealing your ducts prevents cool air from escaping and helps your AC unit operate more efficiently. Insulating your ducts can reduce the energy needed to cool your home and extend your units’ lifespan.
Insulate Walls and Attic:
In addition to your ducts, you can reduce the energy your home uses by insulating your walls and attic. Insulation is a barrier between your home and the outside environment, keeping your interior cooler and more comfortable. Adding insulation saves money on both heating and cooling costs.
Energy-Efficient Window Coverings:
Another way you can keep your home cool and reduce your energy usage is by installing energy-efficient window coverings According to Energy.gov, “In cooling seasons, about 76% of sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows enters to become heat. Window coverings can help with this loss of energy by providing comfort, regulating temperatures, and lowering energy bills.”
Look for window coverings that reflect sunlight outside or block it entirely. This will help reduce the heat entering your home and require less energy for cooling.
Don’t Use Your Oven:
I know all of you cooks know this…using your oven raises the temperature of your kitchen. During the summer try rusing alternative cooking methods such as a crockpot or pressure cooker, or even your outdoor grill to prepare your meals.
Your AC unit is essential for all of us living in the DMV. But these energy efficiency tips can make a big difference in how much it will cost you to keep your home cool this summer.. Using an ENERGY STAR-rated unit along with a smart thermostat that are professionally and routinely maintained are the key to system running efficiently and cost effectively. Complementing your AC unit with ceiling fans, insulated ducts, walls, attic, and window coverings can assist in lowering your energy bills further. With these tips, you can stay comfortable this summer without spending a fortune.
Don’t let the summer heat drain your wallet. Contact Presidential Heating and Air Conditioning in Gaithersburg, MD, for our team’s expert AC maintenance and energy-efficient solutions.
*https://www.energystar.gov/products/energy_star_home_upgrade/smart_thermostats