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We are right in the peak of summer! Unfortunately, that’s probably not as exciting this year as some other years due to the coronavirus. On top of that, our air conditioning units are under more strain than ever due to heavy use. We want to keep your bills low while still keeping you comfortable! This blog will explain the common mistakes everyday homeowners make when it comes to their AC that are causing higher utility bills and how you can avoid making those mistakes from here on out.
Air Filters
Despite being one of the most important parts of any HVAC system, air filters are often neglected. Most people have media air filters. These are physical barriers that filter the air as it passes through your vents and into your home. Unfortunately, they get filled up with dirt and pollen and other gunk fairly quickly. It only takes a month or two for them to get so full of stuff that they are unable to function properly. This is why we need to replace them on a regular basis.
In addition to not being able to clean your air well, a clogged-up filter will eventually prevent proper airflow as well. When this happens, your AC unit will end up using more energy to overcome it. Any time air can’t exit your vents well, your HVAC costs will skyrocket. Swap out those filters regularly and you’ll have better indoor air quality as well as lower cooling costs.
Your Heating Your Home Inadvertently
You may not realize it, but all of the activities you do throughout your day that produce heat will have an effect on your AC costs. Simple things such as running your big appliances, cooking, and having a lot of people over will increase the average temperature in your home.
We aren’t asking you to not do these things, but just to be mindful of them. Don’t turn your thermostat way down to 68 degrees while you’re spending the whole day cooking or entertaining. Your AC is going to have a tough time getting to that temperature any time, but it will be even harder if you are actively working against that!
One more example to keep in mind is to keep the sun from heating your space too much. The sun is constantly shooting energy at us which can absolutely heat up your home. Keep blinds closed during the morning to prevent those rays from increasing the temperature in your home!
Get Smart with a Smart Thermostat
Our thermostat is one of the ways we interact most with our air conditioning system. We can set our AC to the temperature we want, but it might not be the temperature we need for optimal efficiency. A smart thermostat can make some of the decisions for us, so we can keep our system running at peak efficiency.
One common example is running the AC while no one is home to enjoy that cool air. You can set up your thermostat to go to a much lower temperature while you’re out of the house. Every degree lower your thermostat is set for 8 hours equals about a 1 percent saving. It may not seem like much, but it adds up!
Help Your Home Seem Colder
There are plenty of ways to make your home seem cooler without changing the number on your thermostat. One obvious example is fans. These don’t actually cool your home, but instead, introduce what is essentially a windchill factor to your home. Additionally, fans use surprisingly little energy overall for what they can do for your home. Other examples include keeping your humidity from getting too high!
If you need an AC repair or replacement, fill out our form online or call us at (843) 242-0855. Our technicians are trained in cleanliness and take the utmost care and caution when helping your home.