The scorching heat of summer is unbearable for most. Depending on where a person lives, this can factor a great deal into the temperatures and the amount of air conditioning needed. Most areas do require some sort of AC to keep the home at a great temperature and all the inhabitants comfortable. So many people think that turning their thermostat all the way down will miraculously cool their home. The more the unit runs, the more it costs. A unit that is constantly running can be counterproductive and actually cause maintenance issues. There is a way to beat the hit without breaking the bank. Here are some tips to ensure that a family can cut the cooling costs.
Those dusty celling fans that most people never turn on actually have a great purpose. Ceiling fans do a great job of evenly distrusting the air in the room. If the home tends to be on the warmer side, turn the fan on and allow it to circulate the air. Circulation is one of the main keys in keeping a space cool. It can provide enough savings that if a home doesn’t have ceiling fans; it would be worth the addition.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
Most people set their thermostat and forget it. However, when the sun is down, the home doesn’t need as much cooling. A programmable thermostat is perfect for saving money. Simply plug in the times that the system increases or decreases the temperature and let it do the rest. If no one is home during the day, kick the AC up to 75 degrees. Program it so that it intensifies the cooling a few minutes before everyone arrives home. By allowing the temperatures to fluctuate a bit during the day, it can provide great savings.
Turn Back the Dial
So many people think 70 degrees is a magical number on the thermostat dial. Actually, the homes that set their thermostat to 72 or even 75 degrees will find they have a lower bill. One thing that people don’t know is that an AC unit is only made to cool their home to twenty degrees below the outside temperature. That means it if is 92 degrees outside, the AC unit should only be expected to get it the home’s temperature down to about 72 degrees. So many times people will turn the unit down into the 60 degree areas and expect miracles. What they will do is cause the unit to run nonstop and eventually freeze up. Having realistic expectations on a unit is key.
Maintain The HVAC Unit
The HVAC unit is the heart of the home. Though most people don’t see or think about it too much, it requires attention. Change the filter often and ensure that there is a preventative maintenance session done before the start of the season. A unit that is running low on refrigerant or has a dirty filter can cost more to operate and can result in mechanical failure.