Saving Energy During the Summer
![]() When it’s freezing outside throughout the winter months, we look forward to summer, anticipating the feeling of that nice, warm air. However, when that hot air finally arrives, it also means that our air conditioning units are running around the clock. And this means cringe worthy energy bills. To help you save money by saving energy, our team at Boerne Air Conditioning Professionals is happy to provide some tips for beating the summer heat. After years of experience, we’ve learned that the single biggest thing a typical homeowner can do to lower their energy bills depends on the characteristics of their home and the occupants, the home’s climate and the homeowner’s budget. We’ve also learned that where you live, such as Boerne, TX, and how you live makes an impact on what consumes the most energy in your home and where the biggest opportunities for savings are.
For most homeowners, it’s not surprising to learn that your air conditioning and HVAC equipment eat up the most amount of energy in your home—particularly during the summer months. Because of this fact, homeowners should focus on energy saving efforts on reducing the home’s heating and cooling loads to get the most bang for your buck in terms of energy investments. We’ve found that one of the most efficient ways to reduce heating and cooling costs is to install a programmable thermostat, which is a control switch that turns your HVAC system on or off to reach a desired interior temperature. Then, you should adjust the thermostat setting higher in the summer and lower in the winter—or whenever you’re away from your home for an extended period of time. For example, adjusting the thermostat when you leave on a summer vacation or weekend getaway will save energy for all heating and cooling systems, regardless of the length of time you will be away. A programmable thermostat is designed to save energy by decreasing the temperature differential between the outside and the inside. When the thermostat is set back, your HVAC system will turn off while your house “coasts” to the set back temperature and then will maintain that higher temperature in the summer. Overall, we recommend you set your thermostat between 75 degrees F and 78 degrees F throughout the summer. Every degree you raise your thermostat can result in a 5% savings on the cost of cooling your home. Call Us: 830-476-766424/7 Emergency Services Available
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Our staff at Boerne Air Conditioning Experts has also learned that during hot weather, you should check the air filter regularly in your HVAC system. A clean air filter improves system efficiency, which should lead to energy savings. Along those same lines, it helps to perform regular checkups and maintenance on your systems to ensure that everything is working properly. If your thermostat happens to not be calibrated, that can cause your air conditioning systems to work extra hard, therefore forcing your systems to use extra energy—and that same concept can apply for any part of the system that may be malfunctioning.
Additional energy saving tips include ensuring that all your windows are shut and outside doors are closed when your AC system is running. It’s also important not to have lamps, televisions or other heat sources close to the air conditioner thermostat—heat from these sources may cause the air conditioner unit to run longer than it should. During the summer, you should also try to limit the use of your stovetop or oven, which can produce a large amount of extra heat in your home. Instead, opt for a cookout and grill outside. You might also consider limiting the use of your dryer. Throughout the summer, you can use an outdoor clothesline to hang and dry your laundry. You’ll also want to check and make sure that no furniture or other obstacles are blocking ducts or fans. This will enable cooled air to circulate freely, making your home more comfortable.
While these tips will all help to increase your energy efficiency throughout the summer, there are some things you can do year round to cut down on your energy use. For example, your water heater is typically the third highest energy expense in your home. If the water temperature is set at 140°F, turning it down to 130°F will save a few dollars each month. Washing clothes in cold water instead of hot water is also another energy saving tip that can save you about $50 per year. Lastly, you could consider replacing incandescent light bulbs with more efficient, compact, florescent ones. Besides saving energy, you will also save money in the long run, since the life span of a fluorescent bulb is substantially longer.
Additional energy saving tips include ensuring that all your windows are shut and outside doors are closed when your AC system is running. It’s also important not to have lamps, televisions or other heat sources close to the air conditioner thermostat—heat from these sources may cause the air conditioner unit to run longer than it should. During the summer, you should also try to limit the use of your stovetop or oven, which can produce a large amount of extra heat in your home. Instead, opt for a cookout and grill outside. You might also consider limiting the use of your dryer. Throughout the summer, you can use an outdoor clothesline to hang and dry your laundry. You’ll also want to check and make sure that no furniture or other obstacles are blocking ducts or fans. This will enable cooled air to circulate freely, making your home more comfortable.
While these tips will all help to increase your energy efficiency throughout the summer, there are some things you can do year round to cut down on your energy use. For example, your water heater is typically the third highest energy expense in your home. If the water temperature is set at 140°F, turning it down to 130°F will save a few dollars each month. Washing clothes in cold water instead of hot water is also another energy saving tip that can save you about $50 per year. Lastly, you could consider replacing incandescent light bulbs with more efficient, compact, florescent ones. Besides saving energy, you will also save money in the long run, since the life span of a fluorescent bulb is substantially longer.