Most of us think the only way to lower power bills is by switching off the air conditioner. What if we were to tell you that you can cool your indoor space and avail power savings without any drastic steps? Wouldn’t that be a pleasant surprise? Today, we give you 9 steps to save energy and money on your air conditioning in South Florida.
9 Steps To Save Energy & Money On Your Air Conditioning In Florida
If you are energy conscious and also desirous of keeping the electricity bills in check, the following steps will be of great help:
1. Install A Smart Or Programmable Thermostat – The outdoor temperature is not constant throughout the day. During the early morning and late evening hours, the heat is at its peak in the afternoon. Therefore, the indoor temperature should ideally be adjusted accordingly. Unfortunately, we are too lazy to do that as it requires frequent trips to the thermostat. Nonetheless, there is an easy way out. Installing a smart thermostat allows the user to program different settings for different times of the day. There isn’t a need to fiddle with it continuously. Smart thermostats are better as they learn the user’s household routine and churn out the best energy-saving program. So the thermostat does all the hard work, and the homeowner only needs to approve the setting.
2. Use Recommended Settings – Often, we think lowering the temperature will cool the indoor space faster. That is not how the AC works. So every time you come indoors and are tempted to lower the thermostat remember this point. The AC gives a fixed output until the desired temperature is reached. Lowering the temperature will not make the AC work faster. It will only make the AC work longer, which means greater energy consumption. Hence, always follow the recommended settings as they will give you maximum energy savings.
3. Ensure Proper Insulation Throughout The House – The quality of insulation in the building or house plays a vital role in determining how efficiently the AC works. If the insulation is poor or non-existent, The cool indoor air will escape, or the hot air from outdoors will seep inside and increase the temperature. In either case, the indoor space will not be as cool as it could be where the insulation is proper and of good quality.
4. Use The Ceiling Fan – Many homes have ceiling fans, but the occupants don’t use them, and in others, there are no fans. If there are no ceiling fans in your rooms, you should strongly think about installing them. Fans help circulate the cool air better and create a breeze effect, due to which the need to lower the temperature is significantly reduced.
5. Cover The Windows – A lot of heat seeps indoors through the glass windows. Often you would notice the area around the windows is warmer than the rest of the house. A quick solution to address the issue is installing heavy drapes or blinds. Doing so will allow the AC to work efficiently and without any stress.
6. Ensure AC Maintenance – An efficient AC is a well-maintained AC. If you want the AC to work optimally, you should ensure it gets a tune-up before the season’s first use. This maintenance is also known as preventive maintenance, as it wards off the need for unnecessary repairs. It also helps recover the efficiency that was lost during the last season. And the thorough cleaning it receives helps eliminate any chances of dust and dirt playing havoc with the working of the AC.
7. Avoid Using Too Many Electrical Appliances – Using too many electrical appliances simultaneously in a closed space increases the temperature due to the heat they generate. Therefore, if possible, place them apart and do not use them at the same time. Switching to LED lights will also help maintain the indoor temperature.
8. Manage Indoor Humidity – Often, when the humidity is high, no amount of lowering the AC temperature will help. It will only run up the power bills. Nevertheless, you can make way for savings by managing indoor humidity. Keep the exhaust fans in the washrooms running when they are wet. In the kitchen, always use the electric chimney. Do not leave plumbing issues unaddressed. If none of these seem to help, you can exercise the option of installing a whole-home dehumidifier. It is a one-time investment but will reduce the pressure on the air conditioner.
9. Plant Trees Around The House – Giving back to the environment is also to your advantage. Strategically planting trees around the house will provide shade and give a natural cooling effect. When direct sunlight does not fall on the house, it does not heat much. Consequently, indoors are also relatively cooler, and all this helps the AC be more efficient without increasing your energy consumption.
Takeaway
Air conditioners are a necessary evil. We can’t live without them. But it does not mean we need to be resigned to paying ever-increasing power bills. Fortunately, there’s a lot we can do to keep the cooling costs low. Creating a greener environment around the house, switching on the ceiling fans, shifting to smart thermostats, getting timely annual AC maintenance done, and using good quality insulation throughout the house are just a few things that will help give your AC a little breathing space. These steps will reduce the burden of work on the AC and hence, lower the power consumption.
If you are a resident of South Florida and wish to lower your cooling costs, it’s time to book AC maintenance. The air experts at Aztil Air Conditioning are certified experts with years of experience under their belt. Booking an AC maintenance with us means you don’t have to worry about the unit’s safety. You can rest assured we shall look after your HVAC system as if it were our own. Aztil promises top-quality services with an affordable price tag. We are prompt and efficient, so you don’t have to wait endlessly. Call us any time to book an appointment. We can be reached at (888)-729-8452.
