Wow, it’s been a record setting summer for Southwestern New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania.
We’ve seen a lack of rain and an abundance of heat and humidity. We’ve also seen utility bills skyrocket as we try to keep our homes cool and comfortable. While you try to combat the heat, there are some things you can do to make your battle with higher utility costs a little less painful.
Here are a few tips you can use to make your A/C more efficient and keep costs down:
Turn that ceiling fan on.
Oftentimes people will turn the thermostat down to make the room more comfortable. While this can do the trick, striking a balance between the A/C unit and ceiling fans is the way to go! Ceiling fans will help you circulate the air in the room and make temperatures approaching 80 degrees feel like a cool and comfortable 72. Some of the new energy efficient ceiling fans use less energy than a single 100-watt light bulb. So instead of hitting that thermostat lower and lower, flip the switch on the fan! (Ceiling fans in the winter also help push warm air down to heat your home when it’s cold.)
Make sure your attic is well insulated.
A well-insulated attic can cut energy usage by 10% or more! Unfortunately, attic insulation is often overlooked. Investing in more insulation and ensuring proper attic ventilation can dramatically lower temperatures in your attic and help eliminate wasted energy consumption—and keep you cool and calm!
Clean and replace filters.
In the spring and early summer, pollen and dust are flying all around. Your furnace and A/C filter is working overtime to keep these contaminants at bay. But most people don’t attend to their filters often enough! A clogged filter can restrict air flow and limit the effectiveness of your unit. Take a moment to check and replace your filter. This inexpensive fix can really improve efficiency.
Make sure you have the proper size unit for your home.
Consult with a highly skilled HVAC contractor to make sure your A/C unit is the proper size for your home or building. If a unit is too small, it will need to work extra hard (consuming a lot of excess energy) to try to keep up. An undersized unit may also run into maintenance and performance issues sooner – costing more in maintenance and up keep. If you’re unsure about your unit contact the HVAC professionals at TJ’s for a consultation.
A/C unit not keeping up?
With temperatures on the rise, we find that some units just can’t keep up. Whether looking to replace an old A/C unit, need a tune-up, or want a full system installed in your home or business, contact the leading HVAC Contractors in Southwestern NY and Northwestern PA – TJ’s Plumbing & Heating.