Although there’s nothing quite like summertime in South Florida, you’ll need a place to beat the heat once in a while. Your home, complete with cold, refreshing air conditioning, can become that very space. However, there’s one thing to worry about when it comes to cooling off during this time of year: your electric bills. They tend to be on the higher side, even despite the fact that your AC unit is in good working condition.
So, how can you deal with these rising temperatures and electric bills? Here are some pro tips to keep your AC bill at an affordable level.
1 – Use Ceiling Fans
Did you know that you can adjust the position of the blades on your ceiling fans? With one simple switch from down to up, they’ll elevate the warm air in the room and keep it near the ceiling, allowing you to cool off appropriately. By installing a ceiling fan in every room, you’ll be able to raise the temperature of your HVAC system and take advantage of the natural air flow produced by the fans. This will lower your energy bills accordingly since you won’t need as much AC.
2 – Turn the Temperature Up a Bit
What’s the difference between 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 67 degrees Fahrenheit? Quite a bit when it comes to your energy bills. The lower the temperature, the more your AC will run, causing it to utilize a lot of electricity. However, since a comfortable home can be obtained with a slightly higher temperature, in this example, 70 degrees, you’ll still be able to enjoy everything that your cooling AC has to offer while saving some money on your energy bills. It’s amazing what the difference between three degrees can mean when it comes to paying for electricity every single month.
3 – Keep Your Curtains and Blinds Closed
When calculating the size of the air conditioner that you need for your home, you need to count your doors and windows. Even the best sealed ones will allow for some air to escape. Plus, windows that aren’t covered at all allow the sun in during the hottest parts of the day, making your sun-facing rooms feel as uncomfortable and warm as a greenhouse. In order to combat this, you’ll need to lower the temperature in your home, making your AC run more and therefore cost more to operate. Thankfully, you can keep the rooms cooler by closing your curtains and blinds in the summer, blocking that warm light from coming in.
4 – Use Fans Whenever Possible
Although it sounds counterintuitive, because standard floor and desk fans use up electricity, they actually don’t use as much as a whole home air conditioner. If you want to lower your energy bills, then you’ll need some fans. By contributing to the overall air flow in your home, you’ll be able to keep the temperature a little higher, preventing those cringe-worthy electric bills. Plus, the air flow will make you feel better, especially if you have pets or allergies because the fans will take care of some of the fur and pollen in the air.
5 – Choose a Programmable or Smart Thermostat
When it comes to thermostats, there are several options, two of which can save you money. A programmable thermostat allows you to set up the system to adjust to a certain temperature at a specific time. For example, you can have it set to warm up during the day when you’re at work, and then automatically lower it at 5 pm when you’re on your way home. This way, you’ll come home to a comfortable temperature. Smart thermostats are similar, but they use AI technology to determine what the best temperatures are for you based on the patterns that they pick up over time.
6 – Have Your Air Conditioner Maintained
Maintenance is the key to not only having lower energy bills but also having an air conditioner that lasts longer. You should get your AC unit maintained by a certified HVAC company at least once a year, preferably before the warm season (aka – summer) starts. This way, they’ll catch any issues before they have a chance to get worse, thus keeping your AC in great working condition. Having it run efficiently is the key to not having to pay huge electric bills in the summertime.
7 – Change Your Air Filters
Did you know that your AC unit has air filters on it? These are designed to filter the air before it’s moved through the vents throughout your home. If you have a lot of pets or have been doing some home renovations or maintenance, then your air filters are probably dirty and will need to be changed around once a month. However, if you don’t have pets or home renovations in progress, then every three to six months will do. Once your filters are clean, the air won’t be forced as hard through them, leading to an air conditioner that runs less.
8 – Choose an Energy Star Appliance
Older appliances don’t have the Energy Star certification on them. This means that they aren’t set up to optimize energy usage and tend to use a lot of power in order to run. As a result, you’ll pay a premium for that cool indoor air all summer long. Thankfully, newer air conditioners are Energy Star compliant, so they use less energy even if they’re run every single day. If you truly want to save money on your energy bills, then upgrading your older AC unit to a newer Energy Star one is the best way to go.
Contact Natal Air Conditioning
If you want to save money on your summer AC bills, then your best bet is to have your air conditioning unit serviced. Here at Natal Air Conditioning, we handle new installs, repairs, and maintenance. Our services are designed to keep you cool and comfortable throughout the summer while avoiding high electricity bills. Contact us today for AC services in Pompano Beach and the surrounding areas.
