Save Money While Staying Cool
Every season seems to have hidden expenses that pop out of nowhere but are nonetheless non-negotiable. During the summer, the main cost that catches people off guard is the bills associated with keeping a space cool. After a brief reprieve from climate-control bills during the mild spring months, the temperature skyrockets along with cooling bills at a certain point.
One of the downsides of high summer cooling bills is that they put a damper on the budget that would otherwise be used for fun. Instead of going on a vacation, homeowners find themselves shelling out spare cash just to stay comfortable indoors. Instead of hiding indoors and watching summer fly by, why not save money for a good time? Here are some tips from the experts that can help every home and business owner save money during the summer.
Smart Thermostat
The thermostat can be a contributor to wasted money during the summer. When temperatures rise, too many people spend too much time raising and lowering the setpoint. All of that switching creates inefficiencies that can compromise savings and comfort. Luckily, there is a better way.
The goal of fiddling with the thermostat is often to make the system run more efficiently and save money. The principle is sound, but the method needs to be corrected. With new-generation smart thermostats and programmable thermostats, homeowners can reduce their energy usage without constantly making manual adjustments. Smart thermostats learn the patterns of people in the home or business and automatically make adjustments to reduce energy usage and save money, and programmable thermostats can be directly programmed to only cool spaces when people are present. They can also be controlled remotely from anywhere, including outside the home. All of their features can help save a ton on air conditioning bills.
Add Weatherstripping
In every home and business, there can be inefficiencies, allowing conditioned air to sneak back into the summer heat and be wasted. Finding the sources of air leaks and adding weatherstripping can lower energy usage noticeably with minimal extra effort. Look to add weatherstripping in places where air escaping is common, like:
- Around windows
- The seals around doors leading to the outdoors
- Transition plates of doorways
- Across the gap between window sashes
Weatherstripping is cheap and easy to install. It can ensure that more of the outside air stays outside and the inside air stays in. Take the time to treat these inefficiencies and enjoy lower utility bills during the summer.
Use Ceiling Fans
One of the best ways to drastically lower energy bills is to reduce the runtime of the air conditioner. This can be easily accomplished by simply raising the setpoint of the system by a few degrees. However, the downside of this strategy is that it can become hot in no time. However, instead of sweating it out, why not use ceiling fans to compensate for those few degrees to keep the home cool?
To save energy and money, raise the temperature on the thermostat a bit and rely on ceiling fans to make up the difference. Before adopting this strategy, ensure the ceiling fan direction is set to spin counterclockwise to blow a cooling draft down on a room’s occupants. Ceiling fans use much less energy than air conditioners but can be an effective tool to help keep cool while saving money.
About Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air
Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air provides 24/7, 365 days a year emergency service to the residents of Jupiter and the surrounding areas. They also offer same-day service, upfront pricing, and personal attention. Call them today for ceiling fan installation and repair or thermostat services in Jupiter, FL.
