Don’t we all love summer? We can finally hide those gigantic coats in the garage for next year. Those knee-high boots will go inside the cabinets, too. There’s no need to wear five layers of clothing just to do the laundry. We’re free. What we’re not free from is having to pay hundreds of dollars to our energy provider? Yes, summer means lovely weather, but the stifling heat can be too much that we have to turn on our air-conditioning units 24/7.
If you depend on central air conditioning in Utah, then chances are that you’re cooling the whole house when you shouldn’t. What rooms are more likely to be used during summer? Isn’t it the dining and living rooms? Where does the rest of the family stay when it’s hot outside? Who sets the thermostat?
These are the questions that you need to ask yourself when you’re dependent on an air-conditioning unit. It is likely the biggest energy consumer in your household. During the summer season, if you’re using it regularly, you’ll probably see a huge spike on your energy bills. These are some of the tips that you can follow:
Turn off the AC When Not Needed
You can save a lot by being prudent with the way you use your air-conditioning unit. If you plan to have a barbecue party in your backyard, turn the unit off. Make sure to set the timer, too, when you sleep at night. There’s no use for it to run continuously since homes are cooler at night. The thermostat should not be set lower than 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember that every time you raise the thermostat by a degree, you’re saving between 4% and 8% of energy.
Set the Thermostat Correctly
Of course, the level of setting your thermostat needs to be on is dependent on how hot and humid the weather is. The unit will have a hard time trying to keep the temperature in a room if it is set too low. Maintain a setting for eight hours so that you can turn off the unit before going to bed (provided you have a cooling fan). That’s enough to keep the room cool until the morning.
Keep the Sun Out
Sunlight is good for everyone, but not during summer when your AC unit is doing its best to cool the room. Your unit will work harder to cool the room when the sunlight is streaming in your windows. This means that the AC unit will be consuming more power than it should. So at least during summer, keep the curtains, drapes, and blinds shut.
Clean the Air Filters
Before the summer season begins, make sure to clean the air filters. This will keep the air-conditioning unit running smoothly. Over time, the air filters in the air conditioners collect dust particles and debris. This will restrict the flow of clean and cool air in the room. This will also make the unit work harder and consume more energy than necessary.
Don’t let an expensive energy bill ruin your summer plans. You can use that extra money to frolic on the beach or have a nice road trip. That’s a better way of spending money than using it to pay your energy provider.