The hotter the summer weather is, the more energy it takes — and the more money it costs — to keep your home cool and comfortable. When you’re smart about the way you cool your home, you can increase your HVAC system’s energy efficiency, save money on cooling costs, and minimize your impact on the environment.
Keep reading to learn practical, homeowner-friendly advice from the experts at Genuine Comfort on how to save money and maximize cooling efficiency this summer without sacrificing your comfort.
1. Get a Professional HVAC Tune-Up
One of the best things you can do to save money and reduce your energy usage is to seek an HVAC tune-up at the beginning of the summer. Professional HVAC tune-ups include essential maintenance tasks like checking refrigerant levels, cleaning coils, and inspecting parts.
Proper maintenance improves the system’s efficiency, extends its lifespan, and prevents costly breakdowns, helping you stay cool all summer long.
2. Upgrade to a Programmable or Smart Thermostat
Programmable and smart thermostats offer many benefits. Both allow you to schedule heating and cooling cycles, so you don’t have to remember to change the settings throughout the day.
Experts recommend setting your thermostat to around 78 degrees while you’re home, and while you’re away, turn it up to 85. When you set your thermostat to 7 degrees warmer than normal for 8 hours a day, you can save as much as 10 percent on heating and cooling costs.
Smart thermostats also learn your habits and adapt to your needs, ensuring you’re not wasting energy by running the air conditioner at the wrong times. They may come with a higher upfront cost than other thermostats, but they can help you save money in the long run.
3. Seal and Insulate Your Home
When your home isn’t properly sealed and insulated against outdoor temperatures, you’re letting the summer heat infiltrate your home while the cooled air escapes. To save money on energy costs, ensure your windows and doors are sufficiently sealed by using weatherstripping and caulking. Seek professional attic insulation services if necessary.
Don’t forget about your ducts! Damaged and leaky ducts can have a big impact on your HVAC system’s efficiency, leading to greater energy use and increased costs. If you suspect a leak, contact an HVAC professional for help.
4. Use Fans and Ventilation Strategically
Turning your ceiling fan on can make the room feel cooler. Make sure it rotates counterclockwise in the summer to push cooler air down and away from the ceiling. Doing this allows you to set your thermostat higher, so you can save money on cooling.
While you’re cooking or showering, turn on the exhaust fan in the kitchen/bathroom to remove warm, humid air. This can help prevent your home from becoming as hot and reduce your reliance on your air conditioning system.
5. Block Out Heat with Window Treatments
Windows are a major source of heat exchange, especially if they’re old or worn-out. Adding reflective blinds, blackout curtains, or solar films to your windows helps prevent the sunlight from heating up the space and insulates your home against outdoor temperatures. When you minimize the sun’s impact on your indoor temperatures, your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard to keep you cool, which means you save money.
6. Avoid Generating Extra Heat Indoors
Try your best to avoid heat-producing activities like cooking on the stove and baking things in the oven during the hottest parts of the day. Prepare food in the mornings or evenings instead, and consider using a microwave, air fryer, toaster oven, or grill instead of a conventional oven when possible.
Cutting down on electricity usage also helps you save money by reducing heat production. If you haven’t switched to LED lighting yet, now is the time! LEDs use much less energy than other light bulbs and generate very little heat when in use. It’s also a good idea to unplug small electronics, as they can give off heat even when not in use.
7. Consider Upgrading to a High-Efficiency AC System
Upgrading to a high-efficiency air conditioning system may come with a significant upfront cost, but it’s an investment that can save you money over time by cutting down on energy use. Look for a system with a SEER rating of at least 14 — the higher the number, the more efficient it is. Plus, energy-efficient systems may be eligible for rebates and tax credits, helping you save even more.
Save Money by Calling Genuine Comfort
At Genuine Comfort, we’re dedicated to helping you save money on heating and cooling costs by providing energy-efficient HVAC solutions tailored to your unique needs. When you combine small changes with proper maintenance, you can save big this summer on your energy bills. Contact Genuine Comfort today to get started!
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