When it comes to AC in Polk County, most of us rank it as one of the utilities necessary for life, right up there with water and electricity. Unfortunately, it’s not always the cheapest utility, and it contributes to a huge portion of monthly energy usage for many homeowners. Because of that, AC companies are continually seeking out ways to make units run more efficiently while getting maximum impact, but the AC unit itself can’t be the sole factor held responsible for energy usage and temperature control. Having your home setup to aid in efficiency for your HVAC system means your home will stay at a more consistent comfortable temperature, and you’ll be saving money at the same time. How can you make this happen in your home?
- Leave those doors open! An “open door” policy for the interior doors of your home promotes air flow, and that means all rooms are cooled equally and your system won’t have to work as hard.
- Trap that cool air! Precious cool air can escape through the tiniest spaces, so making sure you’ve properly sealed around doors, windows, vents, etc. is key in making the most of the energy used by your HVAC system. Caulking, insulating strips, and other forms of sealant are inexpensive but will save you a surprising amount of cash on your energy bill each month.
- Take a second look at your windows. If you have an older home, or if the windows are a low-grade, single-paned option, they could be contributing to excess usage of your AC (and therefore costing you significant income on electricity). Double-paned, insulted windows might cost a little more up front, but they last for many years, and the savings on your energy bills can sometimes (almost) pay for them over time.
- Opt for a smart thermostat. Thermostats have come a long way in recent years, and with the new “smart” options that connect to your wifi, and your devices, you can maximize usage of your HVAC system all day, every day. Set your unit to turn up during the hottest parts of the day, but back off at night when the temperatures fall naturally. Program your unit to respond to the hours when you and your family are home vs. when you area away at work and school. An empty home doesn’t care if it’s a few degrees warmer than normal. Additionally, you can control your system when you’re away from your house, so if you find out the temps have dropped around your home, but you’re out of town, you can drop the system back and your unit won’t be needlessly running for hours each day.
Ridge Energy Savers is here to help our Polk County friends and neighbors make the most of their AC systems, and to help them stay cool all year long. When HVAC systems go on the fritz, that’s when we come to the rescue! From AC repair and diagnostics, to full system replacements, we take care of any sized job. Give us a call!
