Plan When to Use Major Appliances
After nearly a year of staying home more than usual, and at least a few months to go, it’s important to time when you use major appliances. Your oven, stovetop, and dryer will all cause the indoor temperature to rise, which in turn causes your air conditioning system to compensate.
Of course, you don’t want to go the entire summer without being able to bake or dry your clothes, so plan ahead and aim to use them early in the morning when you’re able to open the windows. Dry only full loads of laundry and, when possible, see if you can find opportunities to grill instead of cooking on your stovetop. You’ll save energy and keep your home cooler in the process!
Open Your Blinds Strategically
There’s almost nothing better than filling your home with natural light after a long and dark winter, but doing so between the hours of 12 and 4 p.m. is almost guaranteed to heat your home. We recommend investing in quality blinds that you can close for a few hours each day to keep your home comfortable and to prevent UV light from damaging your furnishings.
Switch to LEDs
If you feel like your home could use a bit more light while the blinds are closed, consider making the switch to LED lightbulbs. Incandescent bulbs can convert up to 90% of the energy they use into heat, not to mention that they need to be replaced fairly often.
Many LED lights are available in a bright white color that simulates daylight while using much less energy than traditional bulbs. In fact, some LED lights use up to 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs while providing light for 50 times longer.
Check for Energy Leaks
If you’ve done everything we’ve recommended up to this point and haven’t seen a change in your energy bills, it’s worth considering whether your home is properly insulated. Poor insulation in your basement, attic, and walls can all allow cool air to escape throughout the day. You should also check your doors and windows for drafts; in older homes, weather stripping breaks down and frames often separate from the wall after years of contracting and expanding throughout the seasons.
If you want an in-depth assessment of your home, you can schedule an energy audit that allows a professional to see a heatmap of your home and pinpoint areas that could be improved.
Update Your Air Conditioner
No matter how efficient you make your home, there’s no compensating for an outdated and inefficient system. You can expect your air conditioner to last between 10 to 15 years, depending on how often you use it and whether you invest in regular AC maintenance.
The air conditioners on today’s market are highly efficient and able to cool an entire home in a fraction of the time it takes older models. And did we mention that they use a fraction of the energy, too?
Purchasing a new air conditioner is certainly a big decision, but it’s also one that can pay dividends in the long run. Think about how many times you’ve had to invest in AC repairs and find room in your budget for outrageous energy bills — wouldn’t you rather put that money toward a system that will ultimately save you money and keep you more comfortable?
We think it’s an easy answer — give us a call or get in touch with us to learn more about air conditioning installations and the flexible financing options we offer!
