Florida residents are well-acquainted with the summer heat. Going outside to do yard work or even laying out at the beach starts to feel oppressive. Cold drinks and shade can help, but at the end of the day, you know that going inside your air conditioned home is the only real way to get true relief from those humid, Florida, heat waves.
But what can you do to avoid spending your entire paycheck on your energy bill this summer?
7 Ways to Save Energy this Summer
Fortunately, there are several things you and your family can do to make your AC work more efficiently and keep your energy costs reasonable.
1. Do a Home Energy Audit
Yes, we understand that no one wants to have to add something else to their To Do list. However, conducting an energy audit is a good way to find out whether there’s anything you can do around the house to make it more comfortable and energy efficient, such as sealing leaky windows, installing additional insulation, and inspecting air vents, furnaces, and air filters. If you’re the DIY kind, you can do it on your own, or you could have a professional do it for you.
2. Install a Programmable Thermostat
Unless you work from home, your house is probably empty for a good portion of the day. Save energy by adjusting the temperature when you’re not home. You could try to remember to do so yourself every morning before you leave for work, or you could install a programmable thermostat that will do it automatically for you every morning and evening, or when you go away on vacation.
3. Change the Air Filters
Many different factors determine how often you have to do it: Whether you have any pets, allergy sufferers, or smokers in your home, to name a few. If all of those apply to you, change them once a month, but don’t go over 90 days without changing your air filter in your primary place of residence. Dirt and debris on filters obstruct airflow, causing your air conditioner to work harder than it has to cool your home. This translates to higher energy bills.
4. Install a Ceiling Fan
Florida is too humid to rely solely on ceiling fans during the summer. However, raising the temperature on your thermostat by 4 degrees will painlessly result in lower energy bills. A ceiling fan allows you to do that without resulting in a stuffy indoor environment.
5. Close the Curtains
The sun is hot. That’s no secret or difficult science. If a portion of your home has several windows, that room will experience a greenhouse effect, even with the air conditioner turned on. Closing blinds, shades, or curtains will keep some of the heat away from inside the house.
6. Turn Off the Lights
If you’re not in a room, you don’t need those lights on. If it’s daytime and the room has windows, you don’t need those lights on. And when you do need to turn on the lights, do so with energy-saving light bulbs. They may be more expensive at the checkout line, but they will cost you less money energywise in the long run.
7. Schedule Regular AC Maintenance
The same way you have to change the oil in your car, rotate tires, and do an alignment every so often, you have to provide some TLC to your AC to keep it working properly. HVAC technicians will ensure that the entire system is working well and foresee any potential issues before they happen.
If you have any HVAC issues in Central Florida, we can help.
At Complete Air Mechanical, we have experienced HVAC professionals who can ensure energy efficiency for your home or business. We provide service in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia counties, and we offer financing options.
Call us today at (407) 915-0144 or schedule an appointment online.