So you don’t believe it’s possible to stay cool through the hot summer months in the Fayetteville and Peachtree City area and save energy at the same time? Believe it. These cooling tips will get you started on the path toward savings, without having to throw comfort to the wind.
Some of these cooling tips are low-cost, while others require an investment. Down the line, however, these investments generally lead to higher savings, so the return is more than real. Here’s what you can do:
Do what you can to stop heat gain through windows. Investing in new, energy-efficient windows helps to keep heat out, but you can also use window-shading techniques on your existing windows to the same effect. Some options include installing drapes that block heat gain, awnings on the outside of the home, or, a particularly effective technique for homeowners living in hot climates like Georgia, solar screens or window films.
Use the right thermostat. Don’t yet have a programmable thermostat? Installing one of these devices is perhaps the best, low-cost way to balance savings and comfort. Just be sure to program two time frames in which you set the home’s temperature higher for at least eight hours within one 24-hour period. The most common time periods for setting the temperature forward are at night when you’re asleep, and during the day when the home is unoccupied.
Install and run those ceiling fans! Turn on your ceiling fan to cool down when temperatures soar. The fan will circulate air throughout the room so that you’ll feel cooler.
A fan won’t actually create a cooler room, however. Here’s how the process works:
The fan’s blades move cool air that’s close to the ground outward, mixing with warmer air at the perimeter of the room. In effect, ceiling fans create a more evenly cooled space. Further, some experts believe that running ceiling fans can make the room feel cooler by four degrees.
Because you feel cooler when they’re running, you can raise the thermostat settings and allow the A/C to run less often and use less energy.
Change the A/C filter regularly. With a clean air filter in place, your air conditioner won’t have to “strain” to move air through the filter’s surface, a process that can cause the system to run in longer cycles and use more energy.
Make sure your home doesn’t leak. Leaks in the home’s structure cause energy loss. The laws of nature predict that warm air always travels toward cooler air. When your home is nicely cooled, hot outside air infiltrates the home if you have any leaks around windows, doors or utility protrusions through the building. (Think about the gaps between your wall and the gas line, for example.) Your air conditioner will have to work harder to compensate for the heat gain. To stop leaks, seal them with caulk purchased from your local home improvement store.
For more cooling tips, or for help upgrading your air conditioning, contact Reliable Heating and Air today!