How To Stay Cool and Spend Less This Summer
As spring gives way to summer, Florida homeowners are already using their air conditioners around the clock to fight the growing heat and humidity. And since it’s only going to get hotter and muggier over the next few months, most homeowners will likely see their utility bills go up and up until September at the earliest. After all, the AC is generally the single biggest energy consumer in the entire home.
But there are ways to bring down that energy consumption and the monthly bills that go along with it. With simple modifications and eco-friendly habits, homeowners can save on their cooling costs without sacrificing comfort. So keep reading for three of the best hacks for saving money while staying cool and comfy all summer!
Invest in a Programmable or Smart Thermostat
One great way to cut costs and make life easier is to replace that old analog thermostat with a programmable or “smart” model. With a programmable thermostat, homeowners can create a custom cooling schedule for every day of the week instead of adjusting the temperature manually. This can eliminate the likelihood of forgetting to change the thermostat setting and cooling an empty house while at work or on vacation.
With a smart thermostat, homeowners can make their cooling schedule. The thermostat will track usage patterns and either suggest energy-saving changes or implement them independently, depending on the model. Most smart thermostats can also be controlled remotely via a wireless device or laptop. Some come with advanced energy-saving features such as occupancy sensors, performance alerts, and weekly energy reports.
Install Weatherstripping
Another trick to help reduce the electric bill every month is to install weatherstripping throughout the home. Weatherstripping is designed to seal the gaps around windows, doors, attic hatchments, or other portals to the outside world (or uninsulated home parts like a garage or crawlspace).
Weatherstripping comes in many forms, like foam tape, rubber gaskets, and flexible metal strips, to name just a few. Different designs and materials are suited for other doors and windows and can range widely in cost and ease of installation. However, most types of weather stripping are inexpensive, easy to install, and can be found in the local hardware store.
Weatherstripping can reduce energy consumption (and utility costs) by reducing the amount of cold air lost to the outdoors. The home will stay cool longer without needing the AC to run constantly. Even better for the electric bill, the same principle applies in the colder months. The home will retain warm air and keep the cold air out, reducing heating costs!
Utilize Fans To Reduce AC Usage
Last but not least, homeowners can significantly reduce cooling costs by using their ceiling fans (or portable fans) more and their air conditioner less. Most modern fans use very little electricity, while even the most energy-efficient AC uses more than nearly any other home appliance.
Turning on the ceiling fans (counterclockwise in the summer) will help circulate cool air in the home and produce a pleasant breeze to help lower body temperature. This will allow homeowners to raise the thermostat setting by at least a few degrees, which can lower costs by about 1% per degree (provided that the setting is maintained for 8 hours or more).
With this in mind, homeowners can further reduce their electric bill by setting the thermostat to a higher temperature while away from home or asleep, limiting their air conditioning usage to when needed most. Once these tips are implemented, homeowners may be pleasantly surprised by how much their utility costs have dropped!
About Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat, Inc.
Jerry Brittingham A/C & Heat has been proudly serving the residents of Daytona Beach, FL, and the surrounding areas since 2002. They provide transparent pricing, knowledgeable technicians, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for air conditioning services in Daytona Beach, FL.
