Not everyone may be feeling it yet, but the weather is warming throughout much of the country. As spring and summer bring in warmer temperatures, the more we rely on our Air Conditioners and HVAC systems to keep us cool and comfortable. As a result, energy bills begin to increase as well. The most dramatic increase in energy demand is during the afternoon hours of the summer months when the temperatures peak. The NOAA (The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) has again predicted that a majority of the United States will see above normal temperatures from July-September, increasing energy demands across the nation. In the mist of this, American families and businesses have transition to remote-work from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With children out of school and parents working from home, the energy usage will be even higher than "normal" with everyone under the same roof. Below are a few tips to help keep your energy costs down while the temperature and the amount of time you spend indoors increases.
1) Check for Leaks – It is of the utmost importance that cool air created by your HVAC system is kept contained. You want to keep the cool air IN and the hot air OUT. If cooled air escapes through small leaks, the systems run time and amount of energy it uses increases. Hot air leaking into your home from the outside also causes your system to work harder to cool the indoor air. Check for leaks by looking for small holes in your window seals and weather stripping around your doors. There should be no gaps. If you spot a crack, fill it with caulk and replace any weather stripping necessary to make sure there is a tight seal around the door. Attic insulation should also be checked to make sure there is an adequate amount to keep the hot attic air from seeping into your living space.
2) Lower the Water Heater Temperature – The Department of Energy reports that water heating accounts for approximately 18% of a home’s energy use. The good news is, this is easily reduced by lowering your water heater temperature down to 120 degrees. The water temperature will still be hot enough for bathing and dishes as well as reduce energy costs. Consider also taking shorter showers and installing a low flow shower head.
3) Install Programmable Thermostats – A programmable thermostat helps manage energy usage when the cooling system is needed most. Additionally, it takes guesswork and human error out of the mix. To maximize energy savings, set your thermostat at a warmer temp when you are sleeping or not at home. Energy.gov reports a savings of upwards of ten percent (10%) a year on heating and cooling bills when you turn the thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting. When temperatures are higher the unit runs less and saves energy. When the system is programmed to go back to the normal setting, the cool temperatures should have been maintained long enough to lower the temperature quickly and efficiently (provided the home is properly sealed...see #1). Thermostats should also always have a fresh set of batteries.
4) Use Ceiling Fans – Shockingly, running ceiling fans while your AC is on allows you to increase the temperature by 4 degrees without feeling the difference! The ceiling fan direction should be set to PULL AIR UP toward the ceiling as cool air sinks and hot air rises. For maximum energy savings, make sure to turn ceiling fans off when no one is in the room to decrease consumption.
5) Keep Your HVAC System Running Efficiently – It is always a good idea to schedule an annual maintenance checkup for your HVAC system to ensure its running at peak performance when you need it most. There are also quite a few things you can do yourself to help keep your AC efficient: vacuum out the air intakes and ducts, clear away plants and/or weeds growing around the HVAC unit and clean up any standing water. Most importantly – change your air filter on a monthly basis! This prevents any unnecessary stress on your equipment that can lead to equipment breakdowns as well as higher energy bills.
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