Energy Efficiency: Conserving Energy & Money During Summer Months
Already this summer, residents of the Chicagoland area have seen temperatures go up and down from the upper 50s to the 90s. It’s really hard to adjust to summer’s temperatures when they come and go.
It’s estimated that Chicago, Illinois, residents spend just under $150 per month on their electricity usage. In 2023, rates went as high as 18 cents per kWh. When you’re using your AC more, your bills go up, and it can be hard to keep up with all of the rising costs.
Summer may be officially here, but we’re not into the hottest weeks yet. As you start demanding more and more from your air conditioning system, how do you avoid drastically higher bills? We get it, and we also have the answers you need. You can stay cool without having to cut back in other areas of your monthly budget.
Understand How Your Home Impacts Your AC System’s Efficiency
The efficiency of your AC system requires a lot to be right within your home. The AC system itself also impacts your energy consumption.
Are you losing cold air through leaks and poor insulation?
If your home isn’t well insulated, you’re losing cool air through those gaps around windows and doors. Poor insulation also drives up your energy costs. You can keep running your AC all you want, but it’s never going to cool your home effectively if 25% of that cold air is rushing right out a gap.
If you have older doors and windows, replacing them with efficient, air-tight models is a smart move. At the very least, improve the weather stripping and add caulking to fill any gaps. Redoing siding and house wrap can also help. Some of these improvements qualify you for tax credits, so you’ll gain benefits when you file your taxes, too.
How old is your system?
There’s a reason that most central AC units don’t tend to offer warranty coverage longer than 10 years on the compressor. Central AC usually doesn’t last longer than 15 years. With proper upkeep and maintenance, you might get 20 years, but that’s less common. Most people have to replace their system much sooner.
In addition to having a new system that’s less likely to break down, newer technology continues to make AC systems more efficient. You do have to pay for a new system, but it’s going to be more efficient and lower your energy bills.
Who installed your system?
So many homeowners want to save money and install a system themselves. We see electricians all the time saying that they could do it themselves and save a bundle. While that’s accurate, it’s not practical if you’re also not certified in HVAC. DIY installations void your warranty, which is a big risk to take.
The other problem is that a unit that is oversized or undersized is going to wear out quickly. If you don’t run the calculations to get the right AC system for your square footage, ceiling heights, occupancy, sun exposure, etc., your bills will increase.
Instead of having a system that works correctly and is properly charged, you have one that may be oversized, cools quickly, and cycles off a lot. This wears out components faster than you’d want. An undersized system keeps running and never stops. It uses way too much electricity.
Strategies For Keeping Cool Without Increased Consumption
That’s what can go wrong. What are the best ways to keep cool without driving up your electricity bills?
Use a smart thermostat
When you’re not home, your home doesn’t need to be as cool as when you are. A smart thermostat helps you maintain these changes in effortless ways. Your thermostat learns your patterns and sets timers for you. If you’re going away for a week or two, setting your thermostat to 80ºF or even 85ºF makes a noticeable difference.
Dress in lighter clothes
Don’t bundle up and then turn the temperature down. Instead, put on light, breathable clothing so that your skin has the chance to feel cool. Cotton and linen are two of the best fabrics to wear on a hot day. Aim for loose, baggy clothing like linen shorts and a white cotton T-shirt or a cotton sundress.
Block out the sun
Keep as much sun out of your home as you can. Room darkening blinds will prevent the sun from heating a room. If you hate blinds, honeycomb blinds are energy efficient and do a great job at blocking the sun and avoiding having it heat your interior.
Outside, you can use shade trees and window awnings to block the sun. You still have light within your home, but you don’t have the excessive exposure raising your interior temperature.
Make the most of fans
Ceiling fans are a helpful way to keep air circulating so that your AC is most effective. If you don’t have ceiling fans, consider having them installed. If that’s not possible, floor fans are important. Make sure you keep the air moving around your rooms and not just focused on one side of a room and not the other.
Maintain your system
Make sure you’re maintaining your AC system. You should be changing the filter every couple of months. At the very least, check it to see if it is showing signs of dirt and dust build-up.
Twice a year, check the coils to see if they need cleaning. If they do, get the hose and spray them off. If that doesn’t work, a solution of dish soap and water helps.
Make sure you’re having your system inspected and maintained each year. If something is about to go wrong, a technician may be able to catch it while the issue is still small and easily fixed. If you wait until your system fails, it could get costly
The best time for maintenance is before peak cooling season hits. If you wait until the biggest season for AC emergencies, you may have a longer wait than you want.
Talk to a Professional HVAC Technician
If you think it’s time for a new system or worry that something’s failing with your current system, don’t hesitate to reach our team. Air Blue offers honest appraisals regarding your system’s health. With a bit of maintenance, your bills could be drastically lower.
However, it may be time for a new AC system. If it is, we can help you get a system that’s within your budget and that meets the requirements for federal tax credits. We also offer payment plans that make it more affordable than you’d expect. Reach Air Blue online or by phone to schedule service or discuss an installation.
