Energy Saving Tips for Cooling Your Home
Living in the Wilmington, NC area we all know during the summer it gets hot. This means it’s time to start cranking up you air conditioning, causing your energy bills to rise. Below is list of energy saving tips for cooling your home. By trying these energy saving tips for cooling your home, you may save energy and even some cash! Even by just making a few simple adjustments, you can save some energy. A lot of the tips on this list you can do on your own, but if you need help with the others be sure to call O’Brien Service Company. Here are the energy saving tips for cooling your home:
- Switch your ceiling fan to turn in a counterclockwise direction in the summer.
- Close your exterior doors and windows tightly when the AC is on. Save even more by turning off kitchen and bath exhaust fans.
- Change or clean your AC’s air filters at least once a month to keep your system running at peak performance.
- Make sure your AC has a rating – or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) – of 15. Not only will your AC be more efficient, you could also be eligible for a rebate up to $300.
- Make saving automatic: Set your thermostat fan switch to “auto” to save energy. Leaving it in the “on” position keeps air running constantly.
- Block the sun from overheating your home! Inside, use shades, blinds and drapes. Outside, use awnings, trees and shrubs.
- Insulate your walls with injected foam insulation to help you save energy by keeping hot outside air from seeping through porous block walls – check with your local building supply company for details.
- Give your AC tune-up. Running an inefficient AC system can result in high monthly bills. Plus, you could qualify for a rebate.
- Open interior doors so that cooled air flows freely throughout your home.
- Repair leaky ducts to reduce heating and cooling costs and qualify for a rebate up to $120 toward repairs.
- Install attic insulation rated R-30 and sealing any attic leaks to reduce high home cooling costs. You’ll save money each month and qualify for a rebate of $75 or more.
- Check for household leaks to make sure air isn’t escaping through openings such as fireplace dampers, doors and windows.
- Decorate for a cooler home by hanging light-colored curtains that allow light to enter a room while blocking some of the sun’s rays, and light-colored paint to reflect heat.
- Close unused air vents. If you have central AC you can close air vent in rooms you’re not using so you’re not paying to cool them.
- Plant trees to provide shade on the sunny side of your home.
- Use ceiling fans to cool off for less. Ceiling fans use no more electricity than a standard light bulb. However, be sure to turn fans off when you leave — they only cool people, not rooms.
- Install more ceiling fans. Because the breeze of a fan can make you feel three to four degrees cooler, you can raise that thermostat and still stay comfortable.
- Raise the temperature on your thermostat by a few degrees to save on your cooling costs.
- Install a programmable thermostat to adjust your temperature during the day.
These energy savings tips for cooling your home can create benefits for the comfort in your home, your energy bills, and even help extend the lifespan of your system! Some even offer the chance for you to collect a rebate! If you have any questions about any of the tips, please feel free to contact our office. If any of these energy saving tips for cooling your home require a professional, remember to call O’Brien Service Company!
