These days, homeowners are more concerned with making a positive environmental impact than ever before. And of course, the average homeowner would likely love to decrease their monthly bills. The good news is that you can easily make some eco-friendly choices in your home to save both energy and money. Ultimately, the solution lies in your air conditioning maintenance, as well as the air conditioning unit and related equipment you install in your home. The tips below should help you to keep your home comfortable while reducing your carbon footprint and keeping money in your wallet.
- Assist your AC with fans
Good airflow is important for keeping your home cool and keeping your bills low. You can ensure the cool air produced by your air conditioning system will circulate by utilizing overhead and standing fans, particularly on the hottest days of the year. Fans won't actually cool the air, of course, but they can move air from one place to another and keep temperatures consistent throughout your home. Because fans require less energy than your AC system does, you won't have to crank up the air conditioning quite as high. - Seal up the cracks
This is especially important if you live in an older home, but even newer homes may have drafty areas where cool air can escape. Check for leaks around your doors and windows, in particular, and be sure to seal them. This alone can save you a significant portion on your monthly bills and will ensure you don't waste as much energy. While this doesn't pertain your your AC system directly, you do need to make certain your home supports your air conditioning efforts! - Perform regular air conditioning maintenance
Of course, keeping up with your air conditioning maintenance is very important. You can take on certain tasks yourself, like changing your air filters and keeping the unit clear of dust and debris. But you should also call your local air conditioning repair service for annual or biannual maintenance. While it may seem like that added cost isn't worth it when nothing's wrong with your unit, it will cost a lot less in the long run if you're able to catch small issues right away. The cost of a regular inspection is well worth the peace of mind and savings you'll enjoy on your monthly bills. - Install a programmable thermostat
While installing a programmable thermostat is an expense, it's one that pays off. With a thermostat like this, you'll be able to automatically adjust temperatures in your home while you're asleep, out of the house, or away on vacation. That means you won't be wasting energy or money when you aren't there to enjoy the benefits. Programmable thermostats can help you save a significant amount on your monthly bills. Without one, you'll probably be using more energy (and spending more money) than necessary. If you already have such a thermostat, make sure it's maintained regularly along with your unit! - Repair or replace as soon as possible
If your AC isn't working quite right, ignoring the problem is only going to make things worse. Allowing your air conditioner to operate when it's in need of repairs or replacement will waste energy and money, and it could even be dangerous in certain situations. You should seek out professional assistance for repairs sooner rather than later. In addition, if you have an older AC unit (for example, one that's more than 15 years old), replacing this equipment can help you save energy in the short term and money in the long term. You should look for Energy Star products, since these offer better energy efficiency.
Although air conditioning maintenance, repairs, and replacement might seem like an added expense, they can actually help you save money and energy each month. To find out more, please contact us today.
