Summertime in New Braunfels, TX, is sizzling hot. If you’re like most homeowners, you don’t like paying high electricity bills. According to the United States Energy Information Association, air conditioning accounts for about 27% of a typical New Braunfels homeowner’s electricity bill. This summer, you can save money without sacrificing your comfort by following these four tips for lowering air conditioning costs.
Prevent Daytime Heat Buildup
Avoid using heat-generating appliances during the day in the summertime. For example, using the oven generates a lot of heat, which makes your air conditioner work harder to cool your home. Instead, eat chilled foods, grill outdoors, or use a slow cooker. Keep curtains, shades or blinds closed during the day. This will reduce your AC’s workload.
Maintain Your Air Conditioner
Each year, schedule professional air conditioning services with a licensed AC contractor. An annual maintenance visit ensures that your air conditioner will operate at its peak performance level. Between professional air conditioner tune-ups, you can check and replace your AC’s filter. Do this once each month. Prune vegetation away from the outdoor unit, and clean the condensate line at least once every three months.
Seal the Air Ducts
As much as 30% of the cooled air produced by your air conditioner could be wasted due to leaky ductwork, explains Energy Star. When the ducts leak the cooled air, your air conditioner has to cycle more frequently in order to reach the temperature setting on your thermostat. Sealing the air ducts eliminates nearly all of the leaking air.
Use a Programmable or Smart Thermostat
Take advantage of the many energy-saving features of programmable and smart thermostats. Use them to set a cooling schedule. Increasing the temperature while you’re away will lower your AC costs. Smart thermostats have built-in algorithms for this.
For more tips on lowering your AC costs this summer, take a look at Legacy Home Services’s air conditioning services, or contact us today.
