Tips for Staying Cool for Less This Summer

When temperatures rise, your air conditioner naturally has to work harder to keep your home cool. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean you have to spend more on your energy bill over the summer. There are steps you can take to reduce your energy bill while still staying comfortable. For example, you can:

Replace your AC filter

Most filters are useful for around 90 days before they need to be replaced (and this timeframe is even shorter if you or your family suffers from allergies). Blocked air filters will dilute your air conditioner’s ability to push cold air out, causing it to need to work harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Keeping your AC filter regularly replaced will help keep your unit running smoothly!

Ensure that your home has effective insulation in place

Insulation acts as a barrier between extreme heat and extreme cold within your house. If your home is extra hot in the summer or extra cold in the winter, it may be a sign that your home is not properly insulated. This extreme temperature range in your home will cause your HVAC systems to need to work superfluously hard to bring your home back down to a comfortable balance, costing you a higher energy bill. By having your home properly insulated, you will avoid a higher energy bill than is necessary.

Use your ceiling fans

In the summer, you want the air throughout your home to be sent in a downward motion, to produce a wind-chill effect and make occupants feel cooler. A good rule of thumb is to run your ceiling fan counter-clockwise during the summer to ensure this happens. (Bonus tip: switching your fan’s motion to clockwise during the winter will help air fall into a slight updraft, which will help recycle warm air throughout the house). Ceiling fans take relatively little energy, and they can help you stay cool without breaking the bank. However, remember to turn them off when you’re not in the room—otherwise you’re just wasting energy!

Get an air conditioner tune-up

Just like your vehicle needs recurring oil changes, your home’s air conditioner needs regular maintenance to continue running smoothly. Getting an AC tune-up will extend the lifespan of your unit, allow you to catch small problems before they turn into costly repairs or replacements, and improve the efficiency of your air conditioner, likely reducing your energy bills at the same time. Having maintenance performed on your air conditioner can help keep you cooler while saving you money all summer.

Keep the sun out

While natural light is a beautiful addition to any home, having your windows open and streaming in sunlight will greatly increase the temperature in your house. Installing solar screens on the outside of your windows or keeping your blinds and curtains closed during the day can help you prevent unwanted heat from entering your home. Without the additional heat, your AC will not have to work as hard to keep your home cool, saving you money!

Get a home energy assessment

One of the most effective ways you can improve your home’s comfort while saving yourself from throwing money away on inefficient cooling systems is to get a home energy assessment. A home energy audit is a comprehensive evaluation of your home’s energy performance that helps determine the best, most cost-effective upgrades for your specific home. This process helps you figure out the areas of your home that use too much energy, or areas that can be improved with minor to moderate changes. A fringe benefit of a home energy assessment is that they can be a great opportunity to check for common household problems like mold or wiring issues.

Comprehensive Home Comfort Services in Metro Cincinnati

If you’d like effective insulation installed, an AC tune-up, or a home energy assessment in the Cincinnati, Ohio area, contact the HVAC company Cincinnati has trusted for more than 80 years: National Heating and Cooling!