Air conditioning costs can become crippling during the hottest part of the year
. There are some simple steps that will reduce the amount of energy that an air conditioner unit uses daily, which in turn can drive down the overall costs of running an air conditioner. These steps don't cost much to implement, but the savings they provide will be noticeable all summer long.
Efficient Temperature Settings : An air conditioner works the toughest in the 1st cool-down phase when it is first switched on. To preserve a little energy during start-up, it is a smart idea to switch on the air conditioner before the house becomes unbearably hot. It may appear counter-intuitive, but turning the air conditioner on earlier in the year instead of waiting till the weather is too hot can save energy.
Setting the thermostat at a higher temperature will also save some energy and money. Most people are perfectly comfortable with the thermostat between 72 - 74 degrees. If the thermostat is normally set at 68, turn it up a few degrees and see if the difference is noticeable. Just turning the temperature up by two degrees can save a substantial amount of energy and money.
Properly Seal Windows and Doors : It doesn't matter how efficient an air conditioning unit is if all of the cold air is seeping through cracks underneath doors and windows. Make sure that all of the seals are airtight so that the cooling unit doesn't have to work any harder than necessary.
A spring inspection should uncover any seals that have shrunk or been damaged through the winter months. Spending some time and a few extra dollars to replace faulty seals can translate to hundreds of dollars saved over the summer. During extremely warm times of year, keep the drapes drawn to block out the warm sunlight.
The advantages of a Programmable Thermostat : The best way to be sure an air conditioner is running at its ideal potency level is to install a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats can be set to keep the house at different temperatures during the day and night. They can be set for higher temperatures while nobody is at home in the workday, and at lower temperatures during meal preparation occasions when the house has a tendency to be hotter.
Programmable thermostats ensure that the temperature is at its ideal setting twenty-four hours every day. There are even models that may be programmed differently for weekend days when folks are home more frequently. It does not take an extreme change in aircon use to preserve energy and cut costs.