Save Money on your Cooling System
Posted on April 14th, 2015 by carrolladmin
In years past, our service area has seen spring arrive quickly and end even quicker. Our beautiful, yet much too fast spring season is usually followed up by what we Richmonders know as the humidity and heat of a typical summer. Although there is plenty of time before we reach triple digit temperatures, there are many things you can and should do now before air conditioning becomes a commodity you can’t live without.
If Carroll Plumbing & Heating Inc. knows one thing it’s that it’s absolutely mandatory to give your cooling system the proper level of care and attention before summertime heat arrives. This includes seasonal tune-ups and regular preventative maintenance to ensure the performance of your system. You can always count on the technicians at Carroll Plumbing & Heating Inc. to provide services like clearing drains and cleaning the indoor and outdoor units.
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to ensure the functionality of your air conditioning…
1. Regularly change the air filter. This can save you up to 15% in energy consumption which results in decreased energy bills. Check to see what options are compatible with your system and which offer the greatest benefits and potential for savings. This is one of the easiest and healthiest things you can do for yourself, your family and your air conditioning unit.
2. Use a programmable thermostat. Set desired temperatures for night and day. Manually increasing and decreasing temperatures during the cooling season, and especially times of extreme heat, can drastically lessen system efficiency. Not only does this feature increase efficiency and decrease cost, but it enhances comfort.
3. Weatherize your home for the cooling season. Check all windows and doors for proper seals. Improving insulation and air sealing prevents outdoor heat from coming indoors. Don’t forget to check insulation between the attic and the rest of your home. If your system is equipped with an attic fan, run it regularly to improve ventilation.
4. Use ceiling fans. With a ceiling fan, you will probably be comfortable with the thermostat set at about 78°F. Each degree that you can increase the temperature, you will save around 3–5% on air conditioning costs. Counter-clockwise direction will blow air straight down to aide in cooling.
5. Improve shade and replace windows. To keep hot summer sun from beaming in through the windows, use window treatments. Consider landscaping like deciduous trees and climbing plants or outdoor trellises. If you’re in the position to replace any or all of the windows in your home, there are options to get them glazed to block unwanted heat.
