Electricity consumed by your HVAC system accounts for almost half of all your residential energy use. Cooling your home, especially in the summer, can be your largest energy expense if you do not adopt good energy habits. Below are ways you can cool your Sterling, VA, home cost-effectively in the summer.
Minimize Heat Buildup During the Day
Always try to forgo activities that generate a lot of heat whenever the temperatures in the outdoors exceed those inside your home. Activities that are known to generate a lot of heat include cooking and using the clothes dryer or dishwasher. Instead, try to perform these tasks at night when the outdoor temperature has dropped.
Try to remove excess humidity in your home, as this is known to increase the indoor temperature. If you must shower during the day, always use a bathroom exhaust fan to spot-ventilate your home. You will be able to save the money it would cost to have the AC work overtime.
Have Your AC Run More Economically
You can easily decrease your summer cooling bill by setting your temperatures as high as is comfortably possible, then using a smart thermostat to crank up the temperature when you’re asleep or away from home. You will end up spending less on cooling when the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors is lowest.
When you come back into your house, resist the urge to turn the temperature colder than normal in an effort to cool off faster. Lower temperature settings won’t cool your home any more quickly. And you’re likely to forget to readjust the temperature to its normal setting and end up spending more.
Keep the Blinds, Curtains and Shades Drawn
Having lower indoor temperatures will not only improve the comfort of your home in the summer but also save you loads of cash in cooling costs. By keeping the curtains and using reflective blinds, you can reduce the solar heat gain by as much as half. This is important because solar heat gain is the chief culprit for most of the heat in your home.
Light-colored window treatments are more effective than dark ones in deflecting the sun’s rays. To minimize the amount of heat being radiated indoors, try to hang the shades as close to the windowpanes as possible. You can also save more money by using insulated shades for your home.
Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance
Although installing an energy-efficient HVAC unit can work toward lower cooling costs, it is not enough. Even if you install a programmable thermostat, if you don’t properly care for your cooling system, your energy costs will still be high. This is why it is important to schedule regular HVAC maintenance with a qualified technician.
During maintenance visits, our professionals will replace dirty air filters, which block airflow in the vents and make your air conditioner work harder. You can save on cooling costs and have a more comfortable home by having your HVAC unit run more smoothly and optimally.
Install a Smart Thermostat
It may be tempting to leave your AC running as you head out. You might just want to be comfortable when you return, but the extra cooling would be costly. Instead, use a smart thermostat to cut your energy costs by autonomously adjusting temperatures while you are away or asleep.
AI-powered smart thermostats learn your cooling preferences and adjust your room temperature accordingly. They can also sense when you are not at home and keep your HVAC unit’s energy consumption low at those times. This automated process can help cool your home more effectively and lower your energy costs.
Call us at Vernon The Heating & Cooling Specialist, where we offer timely and professional HVAC repair and installation services to ensure your HVAC runs efficiently all year long. Schedule an appointment, and enjoy having the job done right by our certified technicians.
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