Are your Electricity bills out of control in the summer months? Energy costs are on the rise across the country, is there any way in which you can put the situation under control? Numerous strategies will help you with this.
What contributes the most to your electricity bills? This is usually your HVAC unit.
If you can reduce the amount of energy this system consumes, you will reduce your bills.
Here are some ways in which you can achieve this.
Keep up with routine maintenance How often do you maintain your HVAC unit? Doing this twice a year is must, and if you can schedule quarterly sessions, that will be better.
Ask a reputed HVAC contractor to inspect your unit and they will ensure that it is operating at its maximum efficiency and all the parts are functioning properly.
Operate the system at stable temperatures What temperatures do you prefer? With most people, it is always the lowest one, which consumes the maximum energy.
Set it within an optimal temperature range that provides enough cooling while consuming the least energy.
If you do not know this range, ask a technician or refer to your owner's manual.
This single step can help you save around 15% of your bills on a yearly basis.
One more point to note: avoid playing around with the temperature knob.
That just puts a burden on your unit.
Seal your structure completely If your building is not completely sealed, the cool air inside will leak out and the warm air from outside will enter, forcing your unit to work harder than necessary.
Before you turn on your unit, make sure all windows and doors are properly shut, and there are no gaps between the floors and doors.
Use a programmable thermostat Installing a programmable thermostat can help you reduce the energy consumption when your house or building is empty.
During these periods, even if the temperature is not that comfortable, it will not matter since it will not be occupied, and your AC will also be consuming less energy, thereby reducing your costs.
Change the filters regularly Clean your air filters on a regular basis and change them once a month or as appropriate.
Refer to the manual or ask your technician.
This will ensure the air flow is smooth and uninterrupted.
Use Window Shades Cover up your windows with blinds, drapes or curtains so that the minimum amount of sunlight enters the home when the outside temperatures are soaring.
When temperatures fall, and it is the winter season, you should keep them open during the day time so that the sun keeps your home warm.
Insulate your ceiling and attic If your attic and ceiling have not been insulated properly, your HVAC unit will not be able to perform efficiently and will consume more energy.
The R value must be at least 40.
Ask a professional to conduct an inspection, and make sure the insulation is working properly.