From the looks of it, it seems like it will be another hot summer with just the tiniest bit of precipitation. For many, that means using their air conditioners non-stop to keep cool and comfortable inside of their homes. Unfortunately, this can easily make your monthly utility bills in Austin skyrocket, a scenario you don’t want to have to deal with.
Luckily, there are some steps you can take to not only make the best use of your air conditioning system but also to ensure you still have some cash afterward. Depending on the steps, some require minor home adjustments while others require a bit more work. Below, we’ve outlined a few tips and tricks you can do around the home.
Pre-Program Your AC
If you have a newer air conditioning unit, then chances are it has a programmable timer. You can take advantage of this by letting it switch itself on 30 minutes before you arrive home, as it will slowly cool down your space. If you work from your home, pre-program it to start in the morning before the temperature gets hot; this keeps your living space cooler for longer and lessens the burden on your unit. When the temperature drops down again in the afternoon, you can then turn off your unit and have your house stay cool well into the night.
Set Your Thermostat High
While this may seem counterintuitive at first, trying to find the highest temperature where you can still feel relatively cool and comfortable will take a significant burden off your air conditioner. The more you drop the temperature on your thermostat, the harder your air conditioner has to work. Most air conditioner units have to work twice as hard when this happens. One more thing to remember is that AC units are only made to lower the temperature by about 20 degrees Fahrenheit max. Any lower than that will overwork your unit.
Keep Your Unit Shaded
Another easy tip you can do is keep your unit out of the sun or make sure that it’s appropriately shaded. This is because an air conditioner that is frying under the sun will have to work twice as hard to keep your house cool. So, make sure that it’s covered and shaded.
Keep the Vents From Obstructions
You can also make the best use out of your air conditioner by making sure that the vents don’t have anything in front of them. Putting a sofa in front of a vent, for example, will block the cool air and prevent it from being able to circulate freely.
Use Your Fan
When the heat is more bearable or lower than usual, use your unit’s fan instead. Or, to help save more power, opt for an electric fan unit. These work well and should keep you comfortable long enough to give your air conditioner a nice break. Additionally, using a fan after turning off your AC will help spread the cool air around.
Close Curtains and Blinds During the Day
The power of the sun can quickly warm your house. Prevent this from happening by closing your curtains and blinds during the hottest parts of the day. You can then open them as the temperature drops down again during the night.
Switch Your Incandescent Bulbs to Cooler LED Bulbs
While they do work, old-fashioned incandescent bulbs produce too much heat. Luckily, the new LED models available today are more energy efficient and produce much less heat. These lights are also significantly brighter, so make sure you make the switch as soon as you can this summer.
Have Your Unit Professionally Maintained
This summer, it’s a good idea to have a professional do a checkup on your unit to check if it needs any repairs. Having your unit maintained is one of the best steps you can take to get the most out of your AC unit, and our professionals at Totally Cool Heating & Air are more than happy to help.
With the summer far from over, making the most out of your AC without racking up the electricity bill is essential. To ensure your unit is at its best, contact us at Totally Cool Heating & Air in Austin, TX, to have one of our dedicated professionals run a complete checkup and maintenance service. We also offer heating, cooling, duct sealing, and attic insulation services. You can purchase solar window screens from us, too.
