3 Ways to Use Your Air Conditioner Efficiently
When the temperatures soar, many homeowners can be tempted to crank the thermostat to the lowest possible setting. It may seem like this is a good strategy to cool your entire home down more quickly. In actuality, it just puts more strain on your system and spikes your energy use. To efficiently cool your home follow these tips:
Set It and Forget It
The ideal summer temperature for energy efficiency is 78 degrees. The EPA recommends setting your thermostat to this temperature and “forgetting it” — or not adjusting it further. This allows your system to keep your home at a standard temperature without fluctuations.
If you want more control over the amount of energy you use at home, consider investing in a smart thermostat. Smart technology can help you track your energy use and remotely turn the air off when you aren’t at home.
Change the Filter
Your air filter may seem like a small consideration in relation to the rest of your HVAC system, but in actuality, it can be one of the biggest factors affecting your home’s temperature. A blocked or clogged air filter prevents airflow from moving through your system and cooling your home. Change the air filter before summer to avoid this problem and prevent putting unnecessary strain on your air conditioner.
Leave the AC Running
A common misconception about saving energy at home is that you should turn your air conditioner off when you leave the house. This will save energy to a certain degree, but if the heat outside is significantly different than your desired temperature, you can end up wasting more energy in the long run.
When you turn your HVAC system off, your home warms up. When you come home and turn the system back on, the AC has to work even harder to cool your home down from the hotter temperature it has reached while you were out. Instead, simply raise the temperature a few degrees when you leave the house. This way, you can save energy and prevent your system from overworking to bring a 90-degree house back down to 78 degrees.
How to Save Money and Stay Cool
While using your air conditioner is a great way to stay cool this summer, there are many other ways to chill out and cut back on your energy costs:
- Shut the blinds. Light-blocking curtains and blinds can help reduce the sunlight heating your home.
- Stay hydrated. Drinking water is an easy and smart way to stay cool all summer long. Cool water helps to reduce your body’s core temperature and keep you cool from the inside out. Keep in mind: Drinking ice water after being outside in excessive heat can be a shock to your system. Make sure your water is cool and not cold to hydrate safely.
- Make some cool treats. Summer is the perfect time to indulge in sweet treats like ice cream and popsicles! Best of all? You can make your own! There are tons of recipes online for yogurt and fruit popsicles or even homemade sea salt ice cream.
- Use your ceiling fan. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, using a fan in a room can make you feel up to four degrees cooler! Keep in mind, this only works if you’re in the same room as the fan — the windchill effect won’t work without people.
There are many more creative ways to stay cool this summer, such as using cool washcloths on pressure points, investing in linen sheets, and more!
If you think you’re spending too much on your energy bills or your AC isn’t cooling your home the way it used to, contact the Sierra Air Inc team at (775) 800-5500! Our team can help you get your cool air back up and running so you can live comfortably all season long.
