As temperatures increase in Georgia, your cooling bill is subject to the same. Instead of suffering from increasing heat and utility bills, you can use a few simple tips to save money and keep your energy bill in check. Continue reading for a few innovative ways to beat the heat without breaking the bank.
Use a Ceiling Fan to Circulate Air
Ceiling fans, whole-house ventilators, and oscillating fans are excellent solutions to help circulate the air in your home. While fans will not cool your room, they make your home more comfortable through the wind-chill effect. By simply using a fan in conjunction with your air conditioner, you may be able to increase your thermostat by up to 4 degrees without ever noticing the difference. However, it’s important to remember to turn off fans while you are not in the room because you may offset your savings in wasted electricity.
Get Programmable Thermostats
A programmable thermostat is one of the best ways to cut your energy costs. Get started by setting the thermostat to higher temperatures while you are away from home or asleep. This will allow the temperature to naturally increase in your home and save energy when you don’t need it. By increasing the temperature while you are asleep or away, you may be able to save up to 30% per year in heating and cooling costs.
Keep Your AC in Tip-Top Condition with Preventative Maintenance
Even if you use a programmable thermostat with an energy-efficient AC, dirty air filters can reduce the overall efficiency of the unit. Make sure to keep your AC filters clean to prevent airflow obstruction. When the airflow is obstructed, your unit will be forced to work harder, which can increase energy consumption.
If you use a central AC system, make sure your floor registers are not blocked with furniture or dust. You can also check whether the condenser coils on the outside unit are clear of grass, branches, and other debris. If you notice flowers or trees are growing toward the outside unit, clip the foliage back so it’s at least two feet away. The best solution is to have regularly scheduled preventative maintenance to ensure your system is in optimum working condition.
Block the Heat with Closed Curtains, Shades, and Blinds
During the day, the solar heat from the sun enters your home and causes the temperature to increase. One way to prevent this natural phenomenon is to use window treatments, such as sunshades, blinds, and curtains. Regardless of the window treatment you choose, make sure to keep them closed during the day.
You may find better results with light-colored treatments. The lighter the shade, curtain, or blind is the better it will be able to reflect the sun’s rays. You can take this one step further with insulated shades, which may even save you money during the winter months by keeping the heat in.
Contact Precision Heating & Air for Professional AC Maintenance
For more than 30 years, Precision Heating & Air has been a leader in providing HVAC solutions. All of our technicians are fully licensed and experts in servicing any make or model of equipment. We offer mounds of experience helping homeowners develop customized plans to conserve energy and money.
Contact Precision Heating & Air today by calling (770) 758-4552 or by completing the online form for service.
