Published on: April 01, 2024
Minimal use of your AC helps reduce your energy costs and lower your carbon footprint. If you’re looking for ways to use your air conditioner less this year, here are several steps you can take to reach this goal.
Reducing your AC usage has many great benefits, including lower electricity bills and less strain on your HVAC system. Here are some ways you can support minimal AC use.
Incandescent light bulbs can give off heat, which makes a room slightly warmer. It might not have an immense impact on your cooling bills, but it will add some heat to a room. And by switching bulbs to LEDs, you can save on energy bills since they are more efficient and won’t require as much electricity to run, making the switch well worth it.
When the air gets more humid, a warm home will feel even worse. Dehumidifying the air won’t cool it off. But it will prevent it from feeling sticky, which can make you more comfortable to have the air be a little warmer, which means turning up the thermostat to a higher temperature. That will reduce the amount of AC you use.
The more you shade your home, the less it will heat up during sunny days. Planting large shade trees on your property strategically to protect it from the heat of the day can help reduce your energy expenses.
Review where the sun hits your home at various times of day. Worry less about the early morning hours and the evening hours. Sunrise and sunset are not the most intense times of day. Generally, late afternoon is when you want the most protection from the sun.
Plant trees to help make the air on your property more comfortable to breathe while also protecting your home from heating up from the sunshine.
Your oven and clothes washer and dryer will generate significant heat. Running them during cooler hours will reduce the impact this has on your energy bills. During these hours, your AC is less likely to run since your home will naturally be cooler.
Instead of running your dryer, consider hanging your laundry outside to dry. Not only will you save on potential AC bills from the house heating up from your clothes dryer, but you’ll also reduce your energy bill from not running the dryer.
Use your grill more and oven less during the summer. That way, you keep the hot activity outside of your home to prevent it from heating up your house and causing the AC to run. Get creative in using your grill for a variety of foods and not just traditionally grilled foods. You can even fry bacon on a grill, which can reduce your indoor mess while also keeping the heat outside.
Exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen will help circulate your air. Operate these fans especially when you cook to reduce your energy bills as they’ll help prevent overheating. You should also run them when you take a shower to help circulate the air.
Ceiling fans can help move your air, preventing your home from feeling stuffy. Plus, it helps move the hot air back down so your bedrooms are not hotter than your main floor. Using fans can also help you blow cooler air directly on people in the areas of your home that they are working or relaxing so you don’t have to pay to cool the entire home. Just make sure your ceiling fans are set to rotate counterclockwise so they are pushing the air straight down. On hotter days, increase the fan’s speed.
You’d be amazed at how much the sun can heat your home, even during overcast days in Washington. Small peeks of sun will radiate through your home, making it warmer indoors and causing the AC to run. As the sun reaches that side of your home, become disciplined to close window coverings for better energy efficiency.
Programming your thermostat can reduce the likelihood that you will turn it up or down when you get uncomfortable inside. Rely on the schedule you create.
A smart thermostat can also help with reducing your AC use because it will go on eco-mode or increase the allowable temperature in your home when you are away. And you don’t have to do anything. It will sense when you are away and make the adjustment to reduce your AC use automatically. You won’t miss the cooling either because you won’t be there during the times it runs.
Spending the money on home insulation pays dividends not just in the summer but year round. It will help keep treated air inside, whether that’s heated or cooled. Consider having a weatherization specialist evaluate your home and make suggestions for how to improve its energy efficiency. This will save you on energy bills and HVAC maintenance bills.
In the evenings as the sun goes down, the temperature will dip. On most nights, you can cool your home simply by opening the windows. Take advantage of those cool summer evenings by opening windows throughout your home. It’s important that you not just open one but try to open as many as you’re comfortable with to create cross breezes. If you can keep bedroom doors open, that will further assist with building a cross breeze.
Cooler air will circulate throughout your home all night long to reduce the amount of time you need to run your AC during the day. Just don’t forget to close your windows before the day begins to heat up. You don’t want air warmer than approximately 70 degrees inside.
Old windows will allow your treated air to exit your home and welcome outside air in. Even small gaps in your windows can have a massive impact on your AC usage.
Modern, energy-efficient windows will help reduce your electric bill while also improving your home’s curb appeal and your enjoyment of your home. You won’t have to deal with indoor drafts or areas of your home that you don’t want to be in during the winter because they are too cold or too warm in the winter.
Good installation is an essential element in how good your windows are at keeping your home temperate. Don’t skimp on who you select for your window installation work in Washington. Hire 2FL Windows, Siding and Roofing for the best results and greatest reduction in how much you run your AC. Discuss your needs with the 2FL team to find the best windows for your budget that will offer long-term comfort and enjoyment of your home.
Further Reading:
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