Summer is well underway here in Orlando, FL, and by now you have probably gotten at least one utility bill reflecting your AC usage. Did you look at it and gasp? The good news is that the experts at Downtown Air & Heat have some helpful tips that are easy to implement and that can save you energy throughout the summer months.
Helpful Tips for Energy Saving
Here are some of our suggestions on how you can lower the energy usage for your AC:
- Install ceiling fans – ceiling fans help cool your home in two ways: first, they circulate the cool air effectively around your living spaces and second, they force the cool air down to the floor so that hot air that is rising can be better mixed with the cool air from your AC system. The result can be a difference in cooling of 2-3 degrees.
- Use drapes or blinds to block radiant heat from the sun coming through your windows – daytime heat gain can add as much as 10 degrees to your living space, and this is heat your air conditioner will have to battle. By hanging blinds or long drapes, you can block the sun’s rays causing this heat and reduce the level of heat gain in your home.
- Use a programmable thermostat – it is a myth that it’s better to set a single temperature for your AC and leave it there all the time. The truth is that powering down your air conditioning when no one is home is the better option, and the best way to do this is with a programmable thermostat. You can program your thermostat to raise the temperature for the times when your home is unoccupied and lower it when people are around.
We know that just about everyone is on a budget, and our experts are here to help you any way we can with all of your air conditioning needs – just give us a call!
