Save Energy. Stay Comfortably Cool.

With warmer weather in the air, homeowners all over are getting ready to shell out energy dollars to stay cool. How can you keep a rein on the energy dollars that seemingly flow from your air conditioning system straight to your utility provider? These tried-and-true techniques from the U.S Department of Energy will help:

• Operate your thermostat efficiently. Set the thermostat as high as you comfortably can. Also, keep your home warmer than normal when you are away. You can install and set a programmable thermostat to make these adjustments for you.

• When you first turn on your air conditioner, setting your thermostat at a colder than normal setting won’t make it cool faster. Instead, it could cause extra work for your system, resulting in extra energy costs for you.

• Avoid placing heat producers – like lamps or TVs – near your air conditioning thermostat. When the thermostat senses heat from these appliances, the air conditioner runs longer than necessary.

• If you use a ceiling fan, you can typically raise the thermostat setting about 4°F while staying at the same level of comfort. But turn off the ceiling fan when you’re not in the room. Fans cool people by creating a wind-chill effect. It’s a waste of energy when people aren’t in the room.

• If you want to keep your air conditioner operating efficiently, keep it professionally maintained. Schedule a spring tune-up for your system.

• During a shower or bath, use the bathroom fan to remove the heat and humidity.

• Vacuum registers regularly to remove any dust buildup. Don’t allow furniture and other objects to block the airflow through your registers.

• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes. And consider air drying, rather than relying on heat-producing appliances. 

• Take short showers instead of long baths.

• Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F). 

Want to find out where you could save more energy dollars in your home? Schedule a free Energy Survey today.