Ways To Save Energy And Help Out Your AC
It’s been hot here at the Jersey Shore, and one of the best feelings is walking into a cool, air conditioned home. One of the worst feelings is looking at the energy bills after using your AC for a while. Luckily, there are ways to save energy and help alleviate the job for your air conditioner.
We’ve been working at the Jersey Shore for decades, and have heard all the stories. High energy bills. ACs dying too soon. Rusty air conditioning coils due to salt water in the area. There are plenty of issues with air conditioners in our area, and luckily, we know how to solve them.
This article is going to focus on the things you can do that will help:
- Keep you cool
- Relieve the stress on your AC
- Lower energy bills
- Extend the life of your AC system
- Improve indoor air quality
If you are experiencing problems with your air conditioner, and would like to speak to a professional, give us a call! The technicians here at Broadley’s can come take a look at your AC, and let you know the best solutions to keep your home comfortable!
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Change Your Air Filters
One of the easiest tasks you can perform on your own is replacing your air filters regularly. Dirty filters can obstruct airflow, making your AC work harder to cool your home. Aim to replace or clean the filters every one to three months, depending on usage and the type of filter. We recommend purchasing a few filters at a time, and having some backups on hand to make the switch easy. This is going to keep your home more comfortable, and also improve the indoor air quality in your home!
Reduce The Amount Of Sunlight In Your Home
Everyone enjoys a bit of natural light from the sun during the Summer, but it may be making your home too hot. Sunlight streaming into the house will raise the temperature in your home, causing the AC to work harder to cool the space.
To combat this, use curtains, blinds, or window shades to block out the sun, especially during peak hours of the heat. Installing reflective window films can also help by reducing the amount of heat entering your home. Obviously you may still want some sunlight in the house, but limiting it, especially in rooms you aren’t using, is a great way to cool the home off, and reduce your energy bills.
Clear Around Your Vents
This is an easy task. Ensure that all vents and registers in your home are free from obstructions like furniture, curtains, or rugs. Blocked vents can restrict airflow, making your AC less effective and increasing energy consumption. We find that when furniture is rearranged, you may accidentally put a couch in front, or too close to a vent. This is going to make it harder for the cool air to reach every space in your home.
Use Fans
Ceiling fans, box fans, and oscillating fans can complement your AC by circulating cool air more effectively. Fans create a wind-chill effect, making you feel cooler without lowering the thermostat. By using fans in conjunction with your AC, you can set your thermostat a few degrees higher, which can lead to substantial energy savings.
Remember to turn off fans when you leave a room, as they cool people, not spaces. Also make sure that your ceiling fans are spinning counterclockwise. This creates a downdraft, pushing the cool air back at the people in the room.
Run Appliances At Night
Heat-generating appliances like ovens, dishwashers, and clothes dryers can raise the indoor temperature, making your AC work harder. To minimize this effect, try to run these appliances during the cooler evening hours or early morning. This can help you save money on cooling, and also feel a bit more comfortable at the same time!
Schedule AC Service
This may be the only tip on here that’s not something you can do on your own. Regular maintenance by a professional HVAC technician is the best way to get the most out of your AC. We recommend scheduling AC service once a year, preferably before it gets TOO hot out.
A technician will clean the coils, check refrigerant levels, inspect the thermostat, and identify any potential issues before they turn into expensive, uncomfortable problems. Regular AC service can improve your AC’s performance, prevent breakdowns, and extend the lifespan of your unit.
Do You Need Professional Help?
All of these tips should aim to help you reduce the amount of energy you use, and reduce the workload on your AC. BUT, if your home still feels uncomfortable, or you are seeing energy bills that are just too high, it may be time to call a professional.
The experts at Broadley’s can take a look at your HVAC system and let you know if it needs a simple service, replacement, or maybe there’s a problem elsewhere. In many cases ductwork or insulation can be an issue. In any case, our experts will be able to help you out!
Give us a call at (609) 390-3907, or contact us online. We’ll have your home cool and comfortable in no time!