The summer months can take a serious toll on your wallet. Needing to run your air conditioner constantly drives up your energy bill and can have you longing for cooler weather. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to ease the season’s impact on your wallet. Here are a couple easy ways to improve energy efficiency in the summertime.
Turn Off Your Air Conditioner
Using your air conditioner less is one of the easiest ways to drastically lower your energy bill. If you are going to be away for an extended period of time, switch the system off, or at least set the thermostat to a higher temperature.
Want to use less energy but still come home to a cool, comfortable home? Invest in a programmable thermostat. These thermostats allow you to raise the temperature while you’re away to save on energy and lower it in time to cool of your home before you return home.
Keep Up with AC Maintenance
Poorly maintained air conditioners consume more energy. Clean or replace the filter regularly, and have your system examined annually so minor problems can be corrected before they start driving up your bill.
Use Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans help circulate the air throughout your home and make it feel a bit cooler. During the summer months, run your ceiling fan counterclockwise when the room is occupied. This creates a breeze that helps you feel more comfortable without lowering your thermostat.
Put Up Curtains
Your windows allow a lot of heat to enter your home. Put up curtains or blinds, and keep them closed during the day to keep the heat outside where it belongs. Planting trees and shrubs near windows on the south and west sides of your home will also provide a bit of shade and keep the heat at bay. Opt for deciduous trees, and when the leaves come off in the fall, your windows will let sunlight in to help you stay warm during the cooler months.
Adjust Your Water Heater
If your water heater is set higher than 120 degrees, you could be wasting a lot of energy. Lower the temperature to reduce operating costs.
Install Surge Protectors
In addition to protecting your expensive electronics from lightning strikes, surge protectors can help you conserve energy. Many devices constantly drain power. These energy vampires can be managed with ease by plugging them into a surge protector and switching the protector off when the devices are not in use.
These are just a few of the many things you can do to improve energy efficiency during the summer months. Remember basic things like turning off lights when you leave the room and not opening the fridge more than necessary as well. If you have trouble remembering to turn off the lights, consider things like motion controls, dimmers and timer controls.
At Nicholson, we can help you improve the efficiency of your HVAC system and lower your summer cooling bills. To learn more or schedule an appointment, please contact us today. Give us a call at 508-893-4258.