5 years ago, I got laid off. This was the peak of the recession, and many people were in the same boat. Although being out of work was dreadful, one of the greatest shocks that I got showed up in the form of the electrical energy expenses that we got throughout the summer season. I really did not know how much air conditioning cost. Additionally, I was home all the time so I had the device running more than when I was at work. We just didn't have enough cash to deal with such massive costs for the whole summer. So I developed a strategy to minimize my household's utility costs while I was out of work. Here are the steps that we took.
Tip # 1: We made sure that the cool air continued to be inside the house. Among the first things that I did was to examine the windows and doors to make sure that they were not permitting the cool air to get away. I observed that a lot of our windows needed a little bit of upkeep. So I picked up some weather stripping and made them airtight. It cost me less than $20 and only took a couple of hours to do all the windows in the house. This helped immensely by helping keep the cool air where we wanted it: inside our house.
Tip # 2: Make sure that your thermostat is getting an exact reading of the temperature level inside your house. Not only can a very hot garage force your air conditioning unit to run longer, but a thermostat without appropriate airflow can likewise lead to inefficiency. Have a look at your ac system thermostat. If there are any big furniture pieces or electronics near it, consider moving them. If the thermostat is next to objects that make it hot, it will think that your whole house is hotter than it truly is.
Step # 3: We also purchased a programmable thermostat. These are excellent little units that only set you back $30 or $40. I got the entire household in the habit of setting the thermostat to a greater temperature that we were used to. Do not get me wrong; our residence was still cool enough. However I 'd set the thermostat to a level that wasn't too cool. The other terrific thing about a programmable thermostat is that you can set the timer to turn the ac system on or off when you would like. One of the most intelligent things I think I did was to program it to shut off around midnight. The whole family was asleep by then and we actually didn't need the cost of air-conditioning throughout the middle of the night.
Tip # 4: Have a look at your lawn. In particular, examine the external compressor for your ac system. If possible, it is best if the compressor sits in the shade. This can be accomplished by planting shrubs or trees near the unit. By some estimates, an air conditioner that sits in the direct sun is 15 % less effective than one in the shade. Make certain that you clean off any dirt, grass, or leaves that may fall into the compressor.
Suggestion # 5: Do a yearly examination of your air conditioner. Get a trusted and respectable A/C specialist to analyze your system. While central air conditioning conditioners are intended to last for a long time, they will not last forever. If your system is significantly ineffective, it may be costing you a great deal of money in squandered electrical energy. Nowadays, there are lots of energy-efficient air conditioning systems on sale. Check for one that features an Energy Star score since these are the most effective devices. You might likewise think about switching to a split air conditioner. These are the most reliable units readily available today.
Tip # 1: We made sure that the cool air continued to be inside the house. Among the first things that I did was to examine the windows and doors to make sure that they were not permitting the cool air to get away. I observed that a lot of our windows needed a little bit of upkeep. So I picked up some weather stripping and made them airtight. It cost me less than $20 and only took a couple of hours to do all the windows in the house. This helped immensely by helping keep the cool air where we wanted it: inside our house.
Tip # 2: Make sure that your thermostat is getting an exact reading of the temperature level inside your house. Not only can a very hot garage force your air conditioning unit to run longer, but a thermostat without appropriate airflow can likewise lead to inefficiency. Have a look at your ac system thermostat. If there are any big furniture pieces or electronics near it, consider moving them. If the thermostat is next to objects that make it hot, it will think that your whole house is hotter than it truly is.
Step # 3: We also purchased a programmable thermostat. These are excellent little units that only set you back $30 or $40. I got the entire household in the habit of setting the thermostat to a greater temperature that we were used to. Do not get me wrong; our residence was still cool enough. However I 'd set the thermostat to a level that wasn't too cool. The other terrific thing about a programmable thermostat is that you can set the timer to turn the ac system on or off when you would like. One of the most intelligent things I think I did was to program it to shut off around midnight. The whole family was asleep by then and we actually didn't need the cost of air-conditioning throughout the middle of the night.
Tip # 4: Have a look at your lawn. In particular, examine the external compressor for your ac system. If possible, it is best if the compressor sits in the shade. This can be accomplished by planting shrubs or trees near the unit. By some estimates, an air conditioner that sits in the direct sun is 15 % less effective than one in the shade. Make certain that you clean off any dirt, grass, or leaves that may fall into the compressor.
Suggestion # 5: Do a yearly examination of your air conditioner. Get a trusted and respectable A/C specialist to analyze your system. While central air conditioning conditioners are intended to last for a long time, they will not last forever. If your system is significantly ineffective, it may be costing you a great deal of money in squandered electrical energy. Nowadays, there are lots of energy-efficient air conditioning systems on sale. Check for one that features an Energy Star score since these are the most effective devices. You might likewise think about switching to a split air conditioner. These are the most reliable units readily available today.
About the Author:
Before you invest in a new air conditioning unit, check out our reviews: Portable air conditioning units and AC for Health.. Also published at Summertime Energy Costs: What You Can Do To Lower Them.
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