With the scorching summer heat just around the corner, many homeowners are bracing themselves for these high temperatures, and in turn, higher air conditioner usage. However, there are several proactive steps homeowners can take to keep their homes cool and comfortable while also reducing utility bills and improving energy efficiency all summer long!
At ServiceOne, our team is here to keep your home feeling comfortable! From simple maintenance and repairs, such as cleaning condenser coils in AC, to bigger replacement and installation projects, we are here to ensure your home stays cool and energy efficient all summer long! In this blog post, we'll explore some energy-saving tips specifically tailored to help you beat the summer heat and save money during the hottest months of the year.
Reverse ceiling fan direction
Did you know that your ceiling fan's rotation direction can impact your home's cooling efficiency? During the summer months, set your ceiling fan to rotate counterclockwise. This will create a downdraft that helps circulate cool air throughout the room, making you feel cooler without relying solely on your air conditioning system!
Seal cracks and gaps
Inspect your home for any cracks or gaps around windows, doors and other openings where cool air may escape and hot air may enter. Seal these cracks and gaps with weatherstripping or caulking to prevent air leaks and improve your home's overall insulation. This will help keep the cool air inside and the hot air outside, reducing the workload on your air conditioning system.
Utilize blinds and curtains
During the hottest parts of the day, it’s a smart idea to close blinds and curtains to block out direct sunlight and heat from entering your home. This simple step can significantly reduce the amount of heat that penetrates your windows, helping to keep your home cooler and reducing the need for your air conditioning system to work harder.
Maintain your air conditioning system
Regular maintenance is essential to ensure that your air conditioning system operates efficiently and effectively, especially during the summer months when it's working overtime to keep your home cool. From cleaning the condenser coil in AC to cleaning your air ducts, maintenance is key to helping your system work more efficiently! Schedule an annual maintenance appointment with a professional HVAC technician to clean and inspect your air conditioning system, check for any issues and ensure that it's running at peak performance.
Change your air filter
A dirty air filter can restrict airflow and reduce your air conditioning system's efficiency, leading to higher energy bills and poor indoor air quality. Check your air filter regularly and replace it as needed, typically every one to three months, to ensure that your system can effectively remove airborne pollutants and maintain optimal performance. On top of improving the quality of your home’s air, this will also help your AC work less hard to cool your home, potentially saving on energy costs!
Use energy-saving practices
On top of all of these proactive measures, adopting energy-saving practices in your daily routine can help reduce your energy consumption and ultimately lower your utility bills. Things like remembering to turn your lights off, avoiding the use of heat-generating appliances such as ovens and dryers during the hottest parts of the day and opting for energy-efficient alternatives whenever possible can go a long way in helping reduce your everyday energy costs.
By implementing these energy-saving tips and making simple changes to your home and lifestyle, you can beat the summer heat, stay cool and comfortable and save money on your utility bills. Remember to reverse your ceiling fan direction, seal cracks and gaps, utilize blinds and curtains, maintain your air conditioning system, change your air filter regularly and adopt energy-saving practices to maximize your energy efficiency and keep your home cool all summer long.
Have any questions? Reach out to our team at ServiceOne today!