There are lots of great things about summer in Wilmington, NC. There are plenty of cookouts and summer events to attend, and endless days for spending time at one of our beautiful beaches. But summer also brings scorching heat and plenty of humidity.
Air conditioning is a lifesaver during the North Carolina summers, but if you’re not careful, it can make your electricity bill skyrocket. The best way to prevent this is by making sure your system is functioning properly by scheduling your yearly HVAC maintenance before summer hits. In addition to a good spring cleaning, there are plenty of steps you can take to save money on your air conditioning bill and protect your AC unit all summer long.
You might think the only way you can save money on your air conditioning bill during summer is by using your AC less, but that’s not true! There are multiple ways to reduce your energy usage that involve both your HVAC system and multiple other appliances and features in your home. The more of the following tips you can make use of, the more money you’ll save on air conditioning:
This is perhaps the most obvious way to save money on cooling costs. Keep your AC at the highest temperature you can comfortably stand and you’ll not only save money, you’ll help lengthen the overall life of your AC unit.
If you’re at work 8 hours a day or going away for a weeklong vacation, there’s just no sense in paying to cool an empty house. Bumping your thermostat up a few degrees while you’re gone and watch the savings roll in.
An old, dirty air filter will cause inefficiencies with your air conditioner, plain and simple. Make sure you are replacing your filters regularly, and checking them at least once every 30 days, especially during summertime.
We’ve all sat in a hot room wondering why the AC wasn’t working only to discover that it was because the vent was shut. Make sure all vents are open and that no rugs or furniture are blocking vents or registers on the floor. If you do need to close some of your vents, make sure that you never block more than 20 percent of your vents at a time.
Clogged condensate drain lines can result in system malfunctions and frozen coils. Our team checks for clogs during each yearly HVAC maintenance inspection we do, so make sure to get yours checked before it gets hot out!
Leaves and sticks can restrict airflow to your unit, decreasing its ability to function at maximum capacity. It’s a good idea to clear the area around your AC unit every spring and every fall to make sure it’s getting the air it needs.
Older AC units simply aren’t as efficient as the newer systems endorsed by the EPA. If your system is over 10 years old, it’s probably time for an upgrade. Whether you need a new residential or commercial AC installed, we’ve got you covered.
Zoning systems essentially split your home into sections, allowing one air conditioner to service the unique needs of individual rooms. This allows homeowners to keep temps higher in rooms that are used less and direct the bulk of your AC use to where it’s needed most.
There are several “smart” thermostats on the market that are designed to improve energy efficiency. Not only can they be controlled remotely from a tablet or smartphone, but you can customize different thermostat settings for the time of day, whether or not you’re home, based on outdoor temps, etc.
Fans help create a wind-chill effect that makes you feel cooler, even though they are really just circulating air. Just remember to turn off the fan when you leave the room so you aren’t wasting electricity on running it.
Caulking and weather-stripping help keep hot air out and cold air in. If there are any gaps in your window or door frames, or if you have older windows and doors, weatherizing is an excellent idea.
Energy Star windows can go a long way toward reducing your energy consumption. Even just replacing all of the single-pane windows in your home can save you hundreds of dollars every year.
