How to Beat Cooling Costs in Hot Summer Months
Published: June 16, 2017 | Energy Saving Tips
At Earl’s, we are proud to offer Trane air conditioning units, which we know can always go the distance efficiently. However, we know that running that unit costs you money—and the hotter it gets around here, the higher your energy bills climb.
Below are five expert tips from Earl’s for keeping the heat out and your cooling bills down this summer:
1. Keep the Sun Out
Consider solar screens for your east and west-facing windows or at least close your drapes on bright sunny days. Even better, if you are purchasing new windows, be sure to look at upgrading to windows with low solar heat gain coefficients to keep the sun out.
2. Change Your Filter
Most people let their filters get too dirty; this is one of the most common reasons for poor performance. A dirty filter makes your unit work way too hard to pull cool air through it. Change it monthly for the best results!
3. Improve Air Flow
If the evaporator coil is dirty, not enough air moves across it and your home doesn’t cool well. If the condenser coil (the outside unit) is dirty or crowded with vegetation, it won’t dump enough heat outside. Clear out the bushes yourself, but you should probably call a pro to clean the coils properly.
4. Look for Disconnected Ducts
Check if any ducts have come loose in your attic or crawl space. Fixing a supply duct that’s sending cool air to an unconditioned space can have an immediate impact on your comfort. This problem is more common than you may think!
5. Use Fans
On those really hot days, using a fan to move the air over your skin may be the only change you need to stay cool. Remember, fans don’t cool rooms—they cool YOU! Turn them off when you leave the room.
⚡ Did You Know?
For every degree that you turn down your unit, you could be adding 5% to your energy bill!
