It’s no surprise that an AC bill can reach new highs this summer. You may be considering ways you can keep cool on the hottest days without having to pinch a budget too much. There are already a set of tools at your disposal to keep cool, that won’t need any extra expense. Read on for a quick guide to the top four ways to reduce your summer AC costs during the heat.
Clear Outside Unit of Any Debris
If you have an attached outside unit, you should do periodic maintenance to make sure that it isn’t clogged. Summer means grass clippings, previous seasons debris like leaves and stick. You want to make sure that the unit isn’t crowded by debris and having to run at a higher energy level. Improper care of a unit could lead to expensive costs down the road due to repairs that could have been avoided.
Utilize Your Ceiling Fan
Fans are a great way to help keep a room cool when the AC is already running. This is the wind-chill effect. A fan disperses cooler air making the room seem four or six degrees cooler than it is. The fan also helps by evaporating any extra sweat off the skin, thus allowing you to cool down faster. Even if there is no visible sweat, our bodies work in such a way that the wind from the fan will speed up the process. Remember to also shut off the fan when no one is in the room to avoid higher electric costs.
Programmable Thermostat
Do you like to travel during the summer months? Do you find that you spend more time out then in? Then you need to invest in a programmable thermostat. Most modern homes already come with one installed, but if not it’s a worthy investment. The thermostat can be set so for the hours you aren’t in the AC remains at higher temperature, then if you were home. It doesn’t have to be a drastic temperature increase either, just one or two degrees higher should save you money.
Keep a Room Out of Direct Sunlight
If you have curtains or blinds on your windows make sure to keep them shut during the day. The direct sunlight could cause a room to rise by three or four degrees. If you prefer to use the room with direct sunlight, just be sure to lower the blinds or curtains when you’re finished. If a room with windows is lacking either, consider a quick installation. Most hardware stores have options for self-installation projects.
If you have any concerns or questions about if your AC unit is working properly, contact Beam HVAC today! We want you to be able to beat the heat without sky high AC costs.