10 Ways to Save Energy and Lower Air Conditioning Costs
Air conditioning can be a lifesaver in the summer months, when there’s nothing you want more than to escape the sun’s heat and relax in the cool air indoors.
However, with high usage of the air conditioning comes high energy costs, something we all want to avoid. With a few handy tricks, you can keep running the air conditioning, but at a lower level, while still keeping cool. We’ve outlined how in our top ten tips below.
1. Open the Windows
Keeping the windows open in the summer will naturally let air circulate and keep the rooms cool, reducing your need for the air conditioning so much.
2. Keep the AC regularly serviced
A poorly functioning air conditioning unit will use far more energy than required. An annual air conditioning maintenance agreement with BS Air will ensure that your unit stays in perfect condition, saving you money on energy bills!
3. Replace the vent
Eventually your air conditioning unit will reach its sell-by date, and annual maintenance won’t keep it in top condition anymore. If your unit is old or not performing well, it may be time to replace it.
4. Add shade to your garden
The less sunlight coming through your windows, the less heat. By adding more shrubbery and plants to your garden, you will increase the amount of shade covering your house, which naturally helps keep it cool.
5. Use fans
Fans use a lot less energy than air conditioning, and are a great accessory to help circulate the air around a room. Set your A/C on low and let the fans do the work for it.
6. Cover your windows
If you won’t be using the rooms in the day, closing the curtains or blinds can make a huge difference to keeping your house cool, and keeping out the heat of the sun. You can also invest in solar or mesh window screens, which work by intercepting the sun’s energy before it can enter your house. The cooler you can keep your home by reducing the sun’s heat entering it, the less your energy costs need to be!
7. Avoid cooking in the day
Using the oven for long periods throughout the day will obviously heat your home up – and make you all the more likely to crank up the air conditioning in the process!
Stick to using your oven for hot meals in the evenings when it’s cooler, plus, eating colder foods in the day will help keep you cool.
8. Replace light bulbs
Incandescent bulbs give off a lot more heat than fluorescent bulbs, which also save energy! Replace your lightbulbs with these eco-friendly options to keep your house that bit cooler.
9. Turn it off at night
Temperatures naturally drop with night time, reducing your need for high air conditioning usage.
10. Limit the rooms you cool
Limit your A/C to the rooms your frequently use to reduce your energy usage, this will prove to be a far more economical choice keeping the key rooms in your home cool, whilst also saving you some money.
BS Air provide air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation system services throughout the South West. For more information on the services we offer, or to request a free quote, get in touch with our friendly team today.