Over the last 12 months, Florida welcomed an unprecedented amount of new residents from around the country – meaning that many people are experiencing a Florida summer for the first time. The heat and humidity catch some off guard, sending them indoors to cool off in their A/C. However, those who have lived here for a while understand that constantly running your air conditioning unit at 68 degrees may feel great, but it can cause some problems. For one thing, the wear and tear on an HVAC unit can be brutal. Secondly, that first electric bill can be eye-opening. That said, keeping your home cool does not have to bankrupt you. The following tips should help you to remain cool and on budget.
- Be conservative with your thermostat: Some people run inside and immediately want their home cold, but that is unnecessary. Keep your home temperature at 78° F or warmer, and your A/C unit won’t be working so hard to cool the air. Keep the thermostat fan switch set on “auto.” This will allow the unit to shut off when your home reaches the desired temperature and only kick in when it begins to heat up. For even more electric bill relief, raise the thermostat to 82° F if you will be out all day. Expert tip: Smart thermostats allow you to set a timer so that your A/C can begin cooling the house an hour or two before you get home. This will allow the unit to rest during the day and only work hard when you are there.
- Use a fan to circulate the air and keep it cooler. This will allow you to keep your A/C thermostat higher. Ceiling fans are an excellent way to cool off the room without running your A/C into the ground. Just remember to turn off fans when you leave the room. Fans do not “cool” air, they simply circulate it and create a breeze – so leaving them on when you aren’t there only wastes energy. (More about ceiling fans)
- Remember to turn the fan off when you leave the room. If you don’t have a ceiling fan, any fan from a home store will do the trick.
- Close your blinds during the heat of the day: It’s true, one of the best things about living in Florida is having the sun streaming through our windows and filling our space. But during the summer, you can save a lot on your electric bill simply by closing the shades, blinds and drapes to keep sunlight out, especially during the hottest parts of the day. Direct sunlight is the main culprit, so you can open blinds as the sun moves across the sky. Expert tip: This will also help prevent rugs or furniture from fading from the sun’s rays.
- Check your insulation: The insulation in your attic should be replaced occasionally to ensure that you are keeping the cool air in – and the hot air out.
- Get your grill on Some tips are more fun than others! Grilling outside on your deck (or better yet, at the beach!) is a great option over using your stove or oven in the summer. These appliances significantly heat your kitchen and cause the A/C to work overtime.
- Don’t forget the filters: One of the easiest tips is one of the easiest to forget. Your A/C filter can easily become clogged with pet hair, dust, or pollen, and when your filter is dirty, it blocks the airflow. Clean or replace your A/C filter regularly to help your A/C unit run more efficiently.
If your A/C unit is more than a decade old, is constantly in need of repair, or doesn’t keep your home cool enough, it is probably time for a new unit. While an HVAC system is not cheap, the cost savings add up quickly. Newer units are much more efficient and will save you thousands on your electric bill.
Do you have any questions? The master electricians at Promise Electric are here to help. If you are in the Sarasota area, call us today.
