Warmer weather is very welcome in Ohio every year after our frigid winters. We love taking advantage of the summer temperatures and all the outdoor fun that comes with them. But indoors, we want to maintain a cool refuge from the hottest days — and we do that by turning on our air conditioners. Unfortunately, running the AC usually involves a spike in our energy bills. The good news is that you can mitigate those energy costs by maintaining an efficient AC.
Here are some ways to ensure you’re running an efficient AC.
- Don’t run the AC for maximum cooling all the time. You can program your thermostat to cut back on cooling during the times when occupants of the house are asleep or away. For instance, you might turn the thermostat up as much as 8 degrees at night after everyone’s gone to bed or in the daytime when they are at school or work. The Department of Energy says that you can save as much as 10% a year by turning the thermostat back 7 to 8 degrees for eight hours a day.
- Check HVAC ducts for leaks. If your ducts are hard to reach, you probably want to hire an HVAC consultant to check them for leaks. Sections of air ducts do come apart or develop cracks and holes over time. They should be repaired with mastic, foil tape, and sheet metal screws.
- Check for air leaks in your home. Over time, your house will develop minute leaks that let out conditioned air and let in hot or cold air from outside, resulting in something less than an extremely efficient AC. Light a stick of incense and wave it around window and door frames, by baseboards, and in front of electric switch plates. If the smoke wavers, you have a leak. Repair leaks with insulation, weatherstripping, and caulk.
- Change the filter regularly. Change the filter according to manufacturer’s instructions so that air flows easily through your HVAC. Change the filters more often if you have shedding pets or dusty conditions.
To maintain an efficient AC and heating system, schedule preventative maintenance in summer and fall with Ace Hardware Home Services.
