Gas prices are rising, food prices are rising and the thermometer is rising. Stay cool without breaking the bank! Reduce your air conditioning costs by keeping your A/C running at peak performance by following the safety tips below:
Perform regular maintenance on your A/C unit by checking your air filter every 30 to 90 days to make sure it is
clean and replace it, if necessary. If you have pets, check your filter more often. An outdoor A/C unit’s coi
ls should be free from shrubs, plants, etc., to allow for unobstructed air flow. Air vents inside the house should not be blocked by furniture or drapery.
Set your thermostat at 78-80 degrees. For each degree above 78, you will save 7 to 10 percent each month on your energy bill.
When you leave the building/home either set your thermostat up a few degrees or purchase a programmable thermostat to conserve energy while you are away for extended periods of time.
Keep your shades, blinds or curtains drawn to keep the sun and heat out. Shade the outside of your home with awnings, trees or shrubs, especially on the west and south sides which can reduce your cooling costs by up to 30 percent.
When cooking, avoid generating additional heat inside your home by using your microwave, crock pot or outside grill instead of your oven. Use the “air dry” setting on your dishwasher.
Thirty percent of the heat in a building/home is absorbed through the roof. Make sure your attic is properly ventilated. Eave vents allow cool air to enter. An attic fan or ridge vent can greatly reduce cooling costs.
Install energy efficient ceiling fans. If it’s not too hot outside, just use the fans to cool the building. If it’s too hot outside, using the ceiling fans in addition to the A/C allows you to turn your thermostat up as much as five degrees, which will reduce your energy costs (remember, each degree above 78 saves 7-10 percent per month.)
Select lighter colors for the exterior of the house/building. Darker colors absorb the heat.
Never cover the A/C unit with plastic or an airtight cover; this will cause rust.
Caulk and weather strip leaky windows and doors to reduce both air conditioning and heating costs.
Make sure your building/home is properly insulated.
If you suspect your air conditioning unit is not cooling effectively, contact a professional to check it out in order to eliminate extremely high energy bills.
For more information on reducing risk or any of our other services, please contact Jeff Harrison at jeff.harrison@cbservices.org or 800.807.0300 ext 2543