How to Save Energy and Money This Spring and Summer

Spring is officially here and many of us are looking for ways to keep our homes cool and comfortable throughout the warmer months. However, when temperatures outside begin to soar your energy bills can too. There are several different things that you can do to increase your savings and conserve energy throughout the warmer months of spring and summer.

An excellent place to start is with an energy audit. An energy audit can help you identify problems that might be affecting your indoor environment and it can provide you with personalized solutions to these problems. Energy audits are ideal for homeowners that are looking to improve their HVAC’s performance and significantly reduce their energy costs.

Another way to reduce your energy costs is by using your windows to keep the heat out, and to capture cool air. For example, if you live in an area where it cools off at night, you can switch off your cooling system and open the windows at night to let the cool air in. In the morning, simply shut the windows and blinds to capture the cool air. Window coverings can be used to prevent heat gain through your windows.

During the spring and summer it is extremely important to operate your thermostat as efficiently as possible. Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible during warm days and lower the temperature only when you are at home. However, be careful not to set your thermostat at a cooler than normal setting when you first turn it on. This will only result in unnecessary expense. A programmable thermostat can be ideal for controlling temperatures during the day.

Ceiling fans can increase the cooling efficiency of your cooling system and allow you to raise your thermostat by as much as four degrees without any reduction in comfort. However, ceiling fans can only cool you down if you are in the room, so always turn them off when you leave.

Keeping your cooling system properly maintained can go a long way in reducing your energy costs. Regularly scheduled maintenance provided by an HVAC specialist ensures that your cooling system is operating as efficiently as possible.

On very hot days, appliances and lighting can increase the temperature inside your home. During the warmer months, avoid using your oven to cook and wash only full loads of dishes and clothing. Efficient lighting runs much cooler than inefficient incandescent lights that can actually heat up your home quite a bit.

In order to stop hot air for seeping into your home, thoroughly seal any cracks and openings. Add caulk or weather-stripping around leaky doors and windows.

Blanton’s Heating and Air can help you with all of your cooling system needs this season. Please contact them today for more information.