May 8 Ways To Save Energy And Cut Down Cooling Costs This Summer

Human beings are never satisfied with the weather outside. When the weather gets cold, we put on the central heating, whereas when it gets hot, we bang the A/C on.

If you’re looking to save energy by cutting down on your cooling costs this summer, there are many things you can do.

But before we can go into the ways to save energy, first of all, let’s take a look at why it matters and how much you could save.

Why Save Energy?

Air conditioning is becoming an increasingly large part of energy use in the United States. According to the United States Energy Information Administration, almost 90 percent of households have installed A/C units.

According to the Department for Energy, this has resulted in A/C bills reaching up to $11 bn every year. To put that in perspective, that’s over 6 percent of total energy use in households.

While 6 percent doesn’t sound that much at first. It’s important to note that unlike other forms of energy use, such as lighting and refrigeration, A/C use is concentrated in just a few months in the year – in many cases even just a few weeks. This makes the figure all the more startling.

As a result, many people notice a steep rise in utility bills in, especially hot summers. This can almost double your energy bills for the month. You could save energy and hundreds of dollars every year simply by cutting your A/C use.

But there’s not only the financial reasons but also the environment. Higher energy use means greater carbon emissions which cause climate change.

If you save energy, you’re helping the planet, as well as, your wallet. Keep reading to find out more about cutting your cooling costs this summer with our 8 ways.

1. Check And Repair Your A/C

This might seem like an obvious and really easy tip to save energy, but you would be surprised by the number of homeowners and businesses who don’t check the condition of their A/C. But it’s important because it can really make the difference.

If you’re A/C unit is all clogged up then it’s not going to be working as efficiently as it should be. Sometimes it’s just the filter that’s the problem. By simply replacing the filter you can save up to 15 percent of energy from the A/C.

There are many other things that could go wrong with your A/C unit that means it will need repairing. You need to know the signs to look out for. This could include if you notice your energy bills rising significantly, or the A/C unit is making an unusual noise, this could also be a sign that you need to get repairs.

2. A/C Unit Replacement

Sometimes, you have to replace the A/C unit altogether. It’s unlikely that your A/C unit will be still going strong after ten years of use.

While this might seem like an expense rather than a money saver, it the long run you’ll benefit by reducing energy bills. Trust us, you’ll notice the difference in performance immediately.

3. Turn Off The A/C When Not In Use

It could be that your energy bills are so high simply because you don’t effectively use the cold air that the A/C provides.

Ask yourself whether you’re wasting the A/C in rooms you’re not even spending time in. But also make sure you turn it off when you’re out of the house. Many people leave the A/C on while they go to work or school, this is certainly a waste of energy.

4. Get A Thermostat And Use It

If you don’t already have one, get a thermostat. But most importantly, if you have one, adjust it. Many people forget to adjust their thermostat in warm weather.

By simply turning down the thermostat by a few degrees, you can save tonnes of energy. If you don’t trust yourself to remember to turn it down and up at the right times, get a programmable thermostat that is pre-set for you.

5. Make Use Of Shade

There are many simple things you can do to save energy by keeping the heat outside. By creating shade, through blinds, plants and other obstructions to the light, you can maintain a cooler temperature in the room.

6. Open The Windows And Doors

A common problem in the summer is that your home becomes greenhouse in which the heat gets trapped inside. But by opening up windows and doors, particularly in the evenings and nighttime, the ventilation will help to cool the rooms.

By allowing the air to circulate through the room and bring in the cool air from outside, you’ll save energy by not needing your A/C to work overtime.

7. Get Some Fans

While the fan is not as effective as A/C at cooling down your home, they can be surprisingly useful at efficiently using energy. In fact, you can save over 40 percent on your electricity by using a fan and cutting back on your A/C use.

There are many different types of fans to choose from, that includes both ceiling and portable fans. If you go with a portable fan make sure you position it wisely. But ceiling fans are usually better as they push the cooler air downwards towards you.

8. By Retrofitting Your Home

Retrofitting your home includes everything from improving your insulation to glazing your windows.

This may seem like a pretty drastic measure for some homeowners, but if you live in a really warm climate, it could make all the difference.

Stay On Top Of Your Home AC Repair

If you want to save energy on your A/C bills, there are many things you can do, including repairing and replacing your A/C unit.

Not only is this important for saving money and energy, but also the health and safety of your family and to help the planet.

But we can get you the help you need. If you aren’t sure where to start with your home AC repairs, get in touch with us today. We’ll not only find your problem, we’ll make sure we repair it right.