Sweet Relief: How To Lower Your Air Conditioning Costs This Summer
A lower electric bill makes good financial sense and is a common desire for most homeowners in Seattle who currently consume, on average, a whopping 1037 kWh of energy every month.
So, how can you minimize the consumption of energy, especially this summer? Well, the answer is in the extent of air conditioning costs your household incurs in a day and cumulatively under the current high temperatures.
Adjusting your thermostat during this hot weather ensures that rising temperatures remain within manageable conditions. This may come at an extra cost to your regular utility bill.
You can achieve a lower electric bill if you consider these important cooling tips during this summer.
Lower Electric Bill This Summer
Your electricity bill can skyrocket during summer because of the temptation to increase the setting and span during which your air conditioning remains on.
Utility bills can be extremely high. In such cases, it is necessary to introduce cost-cutting measures in your use of air conditioning. If you want to reduce your electric bills, you may need to consider certain factors.
The factors include the type and quality of the air conditioner. The frequency of maintenance of the system is another factor.
Tip for a Lower Electric Bill: Reduce Your Air Conditioner Cost This Summer
With the hot weather during summer, having personal air conditioning at home is inevitable. Air conditioning throughout this period means an increase in electric cost.
So, how do you remain cool in this hot weather and avoid breaking a sweat because of high electric bills?
There are different ideas that can help reduce the unit cost of air conditioners. The tips can lower electric bills considerably.
The eight tips will help you reduce costs related to air conditioning during the summer.
Using a Ceiling Fan
A ceiling fan can be helpful in reducing your electric bill. The fan is efficient in dispersing cool air through a room. The fan uses around 4 degrees, yet it cools the room better than an air conditioner.
Your decision to settle for a ceiling fan as opposed to installing an air conditioner will be determined by several factors. These include the size of the house and the average number of hours you spend in the house.
Ceiling fans are cheaper to run and still serve the purpose of circulating cool air in your home or office. Your house will achieve optimum air conditioning and save significant levels of energy when you position such fans strategically.
Your options and alternatives may depend on the size of the house. Your air conditioning bill in such cases will be reduced significantly.
During summer, the ceiling fans are an excellent substitute for HVAC systems. Ensure you select a good fan and have it secured properly. If they are energy efficient, they will help in lowering the electric bill.
Unit Selection
The unit of the air conditioner should correspond to the size of the room. A big air conditioner works extra hard and uses extra. This increases the energy cost. The seasonal energy efficient ratio (SEER) of an air conditioner should be 13 or 14.
The cost of running an inefficient system is high and will be evident in the electricity bill.
Control Your Usage Using A Thermostat
An automatic thermostat can adjust the temperature of a room. Setting the thermostat at 78°F will help to cool the room. The programmable thermostat is highly efficient.
When you leave the house, ensure you switch it off. Cool the temperature when in the house to increase energy conservation. It is advisable that you use the manufacturer-recommended settings on the air conditioning in order to increase efficiency.
Leaving your air conditioner running through the day and night will likely increase your electric bill. The thermostat will help vary the temperatures. Ensure that the temperature extremes are manageable.
The location of the thermostat plays an important role in reducing electricity bills. Consider positioning the thermostat away from devices that emit heat. The devices might make the thermostat overwork because of the heat emitted.
Maintenance
Taking care of the cooling system properly helps to cut down cooling costs. When the air conditioning filters are dirty, the air doesn’t flow well. The units have to work extra hard to cool a room.
Replace the filters regularly, especially during the cooling seasons. The cooling system requires a lot of energy to operate. If it is old, consider replacing it with better systems to improve energy efficiency.
Maintain clean ductwork and vents to allow the flow of cool air. Air duct repair or replacement can be necessary to improve the efficiency of air conditioners. Remove the specks of dust by vacuuming.
The activity reduces the need to depend on the air conditioner.
Call an expert to service your air conditioner if you find that it is sluggish or not cooling the room efficiently.
Cover Your Windows & Doors
Window coverings help to reduce the pounding of sunlight. Curtains or blinds can reflect the heat from the sun. The coverings reduce the heat from entering your house.
The window coverings should have a light hue to deflect the sun's rays. The shades should be near the windowpanes. With such positioning, the shades block any outdoor heat.
You can cover your windows using window films. The films are metalized and transparent sheets. They reflect the heat from the sun before it gets in the house.
With the reduced heat, the air conditioners in your house use less energy to operate. The tip reduces the cost of air conditioning.
Protecting Doors & Windows from Leakage
When your doors or windows leak, cold air escapes. Replacing such windows or doors can cut the air conditioning cost. During summer, it is important to maintain cool air within the house as much as possible.
A local contractor can assist you in making a home energy utility audit. The audit shows the effectiveness of your home to hold the cold. A contractor will check out leaks and make necessary recommendations to improve energy conservation.
Having Trees Around The House
Leafy trees around your home are one of the natural ways of reducing the cost of air conditioning in summer. The trees block the sun and ensure that the house is cool. The trees are a cost-effective way to reduce the electric costs of the air conditioner.
Turning Off The Air Conditioner At Night
You can consider turning off the air conditioner at night. During the night, the temperatures are low. The amount of energy used decreases significantly.
Another option is opening windows at night. The open windows allow cool air to get into the room. With such an atmosphere, there is no need to turn on the air conditioner.
Air Conditioning during Summer: Why is the Bill Higher
Do you ever face the temptation of switching your air conditioning system to below 16 degrees during the summer? Well, you are not alone. The cost of an air conditioner hits extremely high levels during summer.
Unfortunately, setting the system at the lowest temperature possible leads to massive cooling costs.
The notion that air conditioners work best at lower temperature levels during summer is expected. Yet, it often leads to extra cooling costs. Experts advise that even during such humid seasons, maintain an average of 25 degrees.
The step ensures the house is cool enough while saving on electricity bills.
The cost of air conditioning units is relatively high in summer. However, the electric bill should not stop you from enjoying a cool home.
It is essential to consider temperatures that do not spike the average air conditioning unit costs. Your personal air conditioner may be the cause of the massive monthly utility bill because of the assumption that such systems consume averagely low electricity.
On average, your AC consumes 3000-5000 watts of power for around 9 hours during summer. On average, most of the homeowners pay $0.10 per kWh. The observation underscores the fact that air conditioners are the greatest consumers of energy during such host seasons.
If you considered installing a ceiling fan this summer a single unit would consume on average 75 Watts per hour.
The variance presents a clearer image of the possible alternative to personal air conditioners. Homeowners may also consider the cost of the initial installation of a single air conditioning system.
Manage The Use Of Your Air Conditioner To Have A Lower Electric Bill
When considering the cost of electric air conditioning, you may also need to consider the overall cost of ceiling fans. You’re unable to lower electric bill costs because of the failure to understand your house needs. Your house’s consumption rate when using air conditioners may be higher as compared to the use of ceiling fans.
Consider natural and cost-effective ways of cutting the air conditioning unit cost. Ideas such as having trees around the home can reduce the use of air conditioners. As the temperatures rise during summer, consider the different tips to lower energy costs.
For more information on air conditioning and heating in your home, contact us or give us a call.