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Hear that? It’s the sound of your air conditioner running and the sound of your bank account drying up.
Heating and air conditioning your home take a 43 percent bite from your monthly utility bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Here’s how to reduce those costs in summer. Here are some tips to help lower the cost of having an air conditioner. |
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Improve Your Landscaping
Most heat that accumulates inside a house comes directly from the sun shining onto the roof or through windows, and heating the house directly.
Planting leafy trees around the building’s exterior will stop the sun from reaching inside your home. Even for the cost of going to the nursery and buying a 15- to 20-foot-tall tree, trees are still the best value.
If the trees or shrubs shade your air conditioner, you could boost your AC’s efficiency by up to 10 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Planting leafy trees around the building’s exterior will stop the sun from reaching inside your home. Even for the cost of going to the nursery and buying a 15- to 20-foot-tall tree, trees are still the best value.
If the trees or shrubs shade your air conditioner, you could boost your AC’s efficiency by up to 10 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Add Solar Screens
Solar screens, or mesh-like window screens, intercept up to 70 percent of solar energy before it gets into the house. Window screens are particularly effective on east- and west-facing windows, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Window films are another option. They are transparent, metalized sheets that reflect heat before it can be transmitted through glass.
However, windows must be shut for window films to work, while solar screens do double-duty, keeping sun and insects out even with windows open.
Window films are another option. They are transparent, metalized sheets that reflect heat before it can be transmitted through glass.
However, windows must be shut for window films to work, while solar screens do double-duty, keeping sun and insects out even with windows open.
Raise The Thermostat
Go ahead, get comfortable. Lower your air conditioner’s thermostat setting to 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re at home. But let that number rise to a warmer temperature at night or when you’re away from home. You can save 5 percent to 15 percent on your air-conditioning bills by raising the temperature setting on your thermostat when you’re away and don’t need cooling, according to the Department of Energy.
Use A Fan
No need to invest in fancy fans. Krigger says the key is to circulate air inside the house. If possible, locate fans on your house’s upper level and open windows on a lower level. If you live in a one-story house or apartment, you should close windows near the fan and open windows in rooms far from the fan, preferably on your home’s windward side, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Evaporational cooling is an incredibly efficient process for removing heat, and our bodies do it all by themselves. A little help can increase the cooling effect.
Evaporational cooling is an incredibly efficient process for removing heat, and our bodies do it all by themselves. A little help can increase the cooling effect.
Use The Stove In The Evening
Skip the stove-top boiling and oven baking, Cox says. Decrease indoor heat by making microwave nachos or eating a cool salad. If you must boil pasta for tomorrow’s potluck, cook in the evening.
After cooking, turn on the kitchen exhaust, and use the bathroom exhaust fan after a hot shower. Remove heat and moisture at the source. Reducing humidity can help increase comfort.
After cooking, turn on the kitchen exhaust, and use the bathroom exhaust fan after a hot shower. Remove heat and moisture at the source. Reducing humidity can help increase comfort.
Maintain Your Air Conditioner
AC efficiency is mostly a function of the technology. Keep the filter clean to allow for good air movement and keep the unit level so the condensation drains properly.
If you replace your older room air conditioner with a newer unit, you could cut your energy costs in half, according to the Department of Energy. Look for a high-energy-efficiency ratio, or EER, or an Energy Star-qualified unit. Higher EER ratings mean a more efficient air conditioner. Energy Star refers to a system adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy to identify energy-efficient products.
If you replace your older room air conditioner with a newer unit, you could cut your energy costs in half, according to the Department of Energy. Look for a high-energy-efficiency ratio, or EER, or an Energy Star-qualified unit. Higher EER ratings mean a more efficient air conditioner. Energy Star refers to a system adopted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy to identify energy-efficient products.
Take a Cold Shower
Hop in the shower, spray yourself with a water bottle or use a cool cloth on the back of your neck. And if you don’t chill out right away, don’t give up, says Cox, the environmental writer and scientist. Your comfort range depends on the temperatures we have experienced in recent days and weeks. The body and mind adjust to rising temperatures.
Need Help? Talk to An Expert!
Our goal is to help educate our HVAC customers in the Port Charlotte and Charlotte County, Florida area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC, Heating and Air Conditioning systems).
If you are contemplating having your air conditioning repaired, Contact Dales Heating and Air Conditioning by calling (941) 629-1712 or by filling out our secure Contact Form.
If you are contemplating having your air conditioning repaired, Contact Dales Heating and Air Conditioning by calling (941) 629-1712 or by filling out our secure Contact Form.
Dales Air Conditioning & Heating of Port Charlotte, FL
Call Now 941-629-1712 or Schedule Your Appointment Online!
Serving: Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, North Port & Englewood, Florida
Call Now 941-629-1712 or Schedule Your Appointment Online!
Serving: Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, North Port & Englewood, Florida
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Client Testimonials
I am…very Happy with my electric bill!
“I am very pleased at the work Luke and Dustin did installing my air conditioning at my home. I am also very Happy with my electric bill!! Before the install my bill was $156.00, the bill i just received in the mail is $92 Bucks! I am so Happy” – Robert S.
“I am very pleased at the work Luke and Dustin did installing my air conditioning at my home. I am also very Happy with my electric bill!! Before the install my bill was $156.00, the bill i just received in the mail is $92 Bucks! I am so Happy” – Robert S.
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