In Central Florida, air conditioning is ranked as one of the utilities necessary for life, right up there with water and electricity. Unfortunately, it’s not the cheapest utility, and it contributes to a huge portion of monthly energy usage in Polk County homes. Because of that, AC manufacturers are continually seeking out ways to make units run more efficiently while getting maximum impact, but as HVAC techs, we know that the AC unit itself can’t be solely responsible for energy usage and temperature control. Having your home set up to support your HVAC system means your home will stay at a more consistently comfortable temperature, and you’ll be saving money at the same time.
How can you make this happen in your home? We have some helpful (and easy) tips:
Leave Your Doors Open
An “open door” policy for the interior doors of your home promotes airflow, so all rooms are cooled equally and your system won’t have to work as hard.
Trap Cool Air
Your cool air can escape through the tiniest spaces, so ensuring you’ve properly sealed doors, windows, vents, etc. is key to making the most of the energy used by your HVAC system. Caulking, insulating strips, and other forms of sealant are inexpensive ways to save a surprising amount of cash on your energy bill each month.
Rethink Your Windows
If you have an older home, or if the windows are a low-grade, single-pane model, they could be contributing to excess usage of your AC (and therefore costing you significant income on electricity). Double-paned, insulted windows might cost more in the beginning, but they last for many years, and the savings on your energy bills can (almost) pay for them over time.
Smart Thermostats Are The Smart Choice
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 are away at work and school. An empty home doesn’t care if it’s a few degrees warmer than normal. What’s more, you can control your system when you’re away from your house. If you find out the temps have dropped at home, but you’re out of town, you can drop the numbers back and your unit won’t be needlessly running.
Ridge Energy Savers is here to help you make the most of your HVAC system. We aim to help you stay cool all year long while spending less. When your AC has issues, that’s when we come to the rescue! From HVAC repair and diagnostics to full system replacements, we can handle it. Give us a call! We service both residential and commercial HVAC systems throughout Polk, Highlands, and Hardee counties.
