August 30, 2017
Summer is coming to a close, which has many Ocean County residents gearing up for the fall weather ahead. It’s also important to start thinking about the remaining warm days, especially if you suspect there might be something keeping your air conditioner from reaching its true potential. If you spent the summer dealing with high energy bills, an AC that has been working overtime and an uncomfortable indoor environment, now’s the time to take action.
Fortunately, lightening your AC’s load doesn’t have to be challenging, even if your unit is nearing the end of its life—here are a few tips to get you started.
Use a Fan
When your AC is blaring and it’s still too warm inside, you’ve got to take things into your own hands with the help of a fan. Setting up a fan won’t actually do anything to lower the temperature in your living space, but it will make you and your family feel more cool as it moves the air around you. Many people prefer window fans, although those who are looking to avoid indoor air quality issues may do best with a standing fan that doesn’t allow outside air to enter the home.
Turn Your AC Down Before Leaving
If you’re like most people, you likely spend the majority of your day outside of the home. This can quickly translate to wasted energy, which means a higher utility bill at the end of each month. Turning your AC down by at least a few degrees can be an extremely helpful in terms of reducing your monthly energy bill, and it won’t severely impact indoor comfort levels. If you’re going to be gone for an extended period of time, consider turning the AC down even further now that fall is on its way.
Don’t Cool Rooms You Aren’t Using
If you have the option to utilize zone cooling throughout your home, you’ll do well to take advantage of this feature. Many people have rooms in their homes that are used only for storage or other purposes. By shutting off the cool air to these rooms, you can save a good deal of money each month, and you won’t have to worry about being less comfortable in the process.
Upgrade Your AC
There’s simply no better way to improve the efficiency of your air conditioner than to replace it outright. Today’s modern ACs are far more efficient than those of the past, many of which pay for themselves over time due to the associated energy savings. Traditional central air is an excellent option to consider, as are mini-split heat pumps—considered by many to be the future of heating and cooling.
