The high cost of energy has homeowners scrambling to keep cool in these dog days of summer, without breaking the bank. Read on for some great suggestions on how to help your air conditioner cool your home and lower your energy bills>.
- Make time for maintenance. Keep up with regular filter changes. A dirty or clogged filter decreases the efficiency of your unit and increases wear and tear. Schedule preventive maintenance each spring to have your unit cleaned, inspected and serviced for the upcoming cooling season.
- Pull out the hose. Turn off the power to the unit and hose off the outside compressor unit to remove any accumulated dirt or debris. Allow it to dry thoroughly before turning it back on, and while you’re waiting, clear the area of any leaves, tall grasses or other foliage within several feet of the unit including the top.
- Turn on a fan. Ceiling and floor fans enable to you to operate your A/C at a higher temperature and still remain comfortable. This is due to the windchill effect produced by the fans, which speed up the evaporation of moisture on your skin. Since fans can’t actually lower the temperature of a room, be sure to use them only in occupied spaces to save energy.
- Check for leaks. Keep your conditioned air in and warm air out by checking for air leaks around doors, window frames, wall outlets and vents. Seal any openings with caulking or weatherstripping.
- Don’t be an extremist. Your home won’t cool any faster by cranking down the dial on the A/C. Setting it lower than the desired set point not only wastes energy, but may cause undue stress on the unit as well.
For more tips on how to help your air conditioner cool your home, give us a call at Griffith Energy Services, Inc. With over 100 years of experience, it’s easy to see why our customers in the Mid-Atlantic area depend on us for all their HVAC needs.
Written by Kevin Spain
