REDUCING THE ENERGY USED BY YOUR HVAC SYSTEMS
Winter is long and hard to get through, especially if you are trying to keep your house warm on the really cold days. Saving energy and keeping your electricity bill down is also challenging in the spring and summer. Here are some tips that may help you along your way through the upcoming hot weather.
1. YOUR AIR CONDITIONER IS GOING TO BE ONE OF THE HIGHER POWER-CONSUMING APPLIANCES THAT YOU HAVE. THE LESS YOU HAVE TO USE IT, THE BETTER YOUR ENERGY SAVING WILL BE.
– The best way to reduce your air conditioner use is to open your windows. Letting the cool air in and getting some of the heat out will greatly help you live comfortably without the A/C on. This does not mean to use just your windows and not your A/C, though. A better example would be if you live in a climate where it is hot during the day; you would use your A/C to keep you cool during the day, and use your windows to keep you cool at night. Another thing you could do to your windows is install window coverings to prevent heat gain through your windows.
2. IF YOUR AIR CONDITIONER IS UP TO DATE AND INCLUDES A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT, THEN IT IS BEST TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF IT.
– Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible throughout the summer. You don’t want to be sweating in your home, but keep it as high as you can to reduce costs.
-When your inside temperature has less difference than the temperature outside, you lower the cost of your overall cooling bill.
– Keep your house a little warmer than normal when you are away from home (if you have pets that stay inside while you are away, be sure to keep the house at a comfortable temperature for them). A programmable thermostat will be very useful when it comes to setting your house’s temperature at certain times throughout the day.
-You can always look up online how to fully use and take advantage of your programmable thermostat.
– Avoid setting your thermostat at a colder setting than what is normally being used. Doing this will not cool down your house any faster than usual. This can also result in expensive repairs for your air conditioner, and a break in your air conditioner during the summertime is one of the worst things that can happen to your thermal comfort inside your house.
3. BE SURE TO USE YOUR FANS AND VENTILATION TO HELP KEEP YOUR HOUSE COOL.
– If you use a ceiling fan with your air conditioner, you will be able to reduce your thermostat setting about 4’F without sacrificing any of your comfort.
– Be sure to turn off your ceiling fans when you leave the room; they cool people down, but not the actual rooms.
– When you are taking a shower or bath, be sure to use the bathroom fan to reduce the heat and humidity from the bathroom and so that is doesn’t travel anywhere else in the house. Be sure that your kitchen has some ventilation that leads outside to reduce the heat created while cooking your meals.
4. BE SURE TO KEEP YOUR COOLING SYSTEM RUNNING EFFICIENTLY!
– It is best to schedule regular maintenance for your cooling equipment.
– Avoid putting lamps, TV sets, or other appliances near your room air conditioning thermostat. The thermostat will sense the heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than what is needed.
– Vacuum your registers regularly to remove any dust buildup. Ensure that your furniture and other objects are not blocking any of your registers.
5. DO NOT HEAT YOUR HOME WITH APPLIANCES AND LIGHTING.
– On really hot days, try to avoid using your oven; cook on the stovetop, in the microwave, or fire up the grill and cook outside.
– Install more efficient lighting that runs cooler. Incandescent lights only consume 10-15% electricity with the light that is produced and the rest is turned into heat.
– Take advantage of daylight instead to reduce the use of artificial lighting.
– Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes. Be sure to consider air drying your clothes and dishes if possible.
– Take shorter showers instead of baths, to help reduce water usage.
– Minimize the use of anything that may cause heat, such as running computers, burning open flames, running the dishwasher, and using hot devices such as curling irons or hair dryers. Your stereos and televisions will add some heat to your home.
6. MAKE SURE TO KEEP HOT AIR FROM LEAKING INTO YOUR HOME.
– Seal any cracks or openings to prevent warm air from leaking into your home.
– Use caulk or weather spooning to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows.
7. LOWER YOUR WATER HEATING COST. (WATER HEATING CAN CONSUME UP TO 14-25% OF THE TOTAL ENERGY CONSUMED IN YOUR HOME.)
– Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120’F). You will not only save energy, but you will avoid scalding your hands.
First Class HVAC will help out with all your seasonal needs to help you save money throughout the spring and summer seasons. We will be more than happy to come out and check your electrical work, plumbing, and air conditioning, and make sure your heater is in good working condition, as well.
Some of the services we offer all over Delaware and Maryland include Bethany Beach heating maintenance, Dover drain repair services, Fenwick Island heater replacement, Lewes heating system repair, Middletown heating installation, Milford plumbing, Milton heating system repair, Rehoboth Beach drain repair and a plethora of other services for your home. If you have any additional questions, just contact us and we’ll answer all of your queries.