Hear that? It's the noise of your a/c running and the sound of your bank account drying up.
Heating and air conditioning your home take a 43 percent bite from your month-to-month energy bill, according to the United States Department of Energy. Here's the best ways to alleviate those expenses in summer.
"A lot of heat that builds up inside a home comes directly from the sun shining onto the roof or through windows, and heating the house directly," states John Krigger, owner of Saturn Resource Management, which offers energy conservation training in Helena, Mont
. Planting leafy trees around the building's outside will stop the sun from reaching inside your house. "Even for the cost of going to the nursery and buying a 15- to 20-foot-tall tree, trees are still the very best value," Krigger states.
If the trees or shrubs shade your air conditioner, you could boost your Air Conditioner's efficiency by as much as 10 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Solar screens, or mesh-like window screens, obstruct up to 70 percent of solar power before it gets into your home, Krigger states. Window screens are especially effective on east- and west-facing windows, according to the United States Department of Energy.
Window movies are another option. They are transparent, metalized sheets that reflect heat prior to it can be sent through glass.
However, windows must be shut for window films to work, while solar screens do double-duty, keeping sun and pests out even with windows open.
Go on, get comfortable. Lower your a/c unit's thermostat setting to 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home. But let that number rise to a warmer temperature level during the night or when you're far from to your house. You can save 5 percent to 15 percent on your air-conditioning expenses by raising the temperature setting on your thermostat when you're away and don't need cooling, according to the Department of Energy.
Camp out in your basement, says Stan Cox, author of "Losing Our Cool: Uncomfortable Realities About Our Air-Conditioned World (and Finding New Ways to Get Through the Summer season)." In your eco-cooled basement, a tv, couch or futon and a cold beverage might be all you need.
Nevertheless, Scheckel says do not open basement windows when outside air is heavy with humidity. "Warm, damp air will trigger condensation on cool surface areas such as basement walls, ultimately enhancing the humidity in your home," he states.
Skip the stove-top boiling and oven baking, Cox says. Decrease indoor heat by making microwave nachos or consuming a cool salad. If you need to boil pasta for tomorrow's potluck, cook at night.
After cooking, turn on the kitchen area exhaust, and utilize the bathroom exhaust fan after a hot shower. "Get rid of heat and wetness at the source," Scheckel states. "Alleviating humidity can help enhance comfort.".
"Air Conditioning efficiency is primarily a function of the innovation," Scheckel says. "Keep the filter clean to allow for great air movement and keep the system level so the condensation drains effectively.".
If you replace your older room ac system with a more recent system, you could cut your energy costs in half, according to the Department of Energy. Try to find a high-energy-efficiency ratio, or EER, or an Energy Star-qualified device. Greater EER ratings indicate a more efficient a/c unit. Energy Star refers to a system adopted by the U.S. Epa and Department of Energy to identify energy-efficient products.
Set the Air Conditioning fan speed on high, except on really humid days, states the U.S. Department of Energy. On damp days, set the speed on low. The slower air motion through the air-condition equipment eliminates more wetness from the air, enhancing convenience in your house. Assuming that you are looking for more basic info on hvac and cooling browse AUTHORITY, or if you are identifying Air Conditioner Contractor take a look at Absolute Comfort LLC, Heating & Cooling
Heating and air conditioning your home take a 43 percent bite from your month-to-month energy bill, according to the United States Department of Energy. Here's the best ways to alleviate those expenses in summer.
1. Improve Plantings Around Your House
"A lot of heat that builds up inside a home comes directly from the sun shining onto the roof or through windows, and heating the house directly," states John Krigger, owner of Saturn Resource Management, which offers energy conservation training in Helena, Mont
. Planting leafy trees around the building's outside will stop the sun from reaching inside your house. "Even for the cost of going to the nursery and buying a 15- to 20-foot-tall tree, trees are still the very best value," Krigger states.
If the trees or shrubs shade your air conditioner, you could boost your Air Conditioner's efficiency by as much as 10 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. Clothe Your Windows
Solar screens, or mesh-like window screens, obstruct up to 70 percent of solar power before it gets into your home, Krigger states. Window screens are especially effective on east- and west-facing windows, according to the United States Department of Energy.
Window movies are another option. They are transparent, metalized sheets that reflect heat prior to it can be sent through glass.
However, windows must be shut for window films to work, while solar screens do double-duty, keeping sun and pests out even with windows open.
3. Flip A Change
Go on, get comfortable. Lower your a/c unit's thermostat setting to 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home. But let that number rise to a warmer temperature level during the night or when you're far from to your house. You can save 5 percent to 15 percent on your air-conditioning expenses by raising the temperature setting on your thermostat when you're away and don't need cooling, according to the Department of Energy.
4. Chill In The Basement
Camp out in your basement, says Stan Cox, author of "Losing Our Cool: Uncomfortable Realities About Our Air-Conditioned World (and Finding New Ways to Get Through the Summer season)." In your eco-cooled basement, a tv, couch or futon and a cold beverage might be all you need.
Nevertheless, Scheckel says do not open basement windows when outside air is heavy with humidity. "Warm, damp air will trigger condensation on cool surface areas such as basement walls, ultimately enhancing the humidity in your home," he states.
5. Do not Bake Or Prepare On The Stove
Skip the stove-top boiling and oven baking, Cox says. Decrease indoor heat by making microwave nachos or consuming a cool salad. If you need to boil pasta for tomorrow's potluck, cook at night.
After cooking, turn on the kitchen area exhaust, and utilize the bathroom exhaust fan after a hot shower. "Get rid of heat and wetness at the source," Scheckel states. "Alleviating humidity can help enhance comfort.".
6. Keep Or Replace Your A/C.
"Air Conditioning efficiency is primarily a function of the innovation," Scheckel says. "Keep the filter clean to allow for great air movement and keep the system level so the condensation drains effectively.".
If you replace your older room ac system with a more recent system, you could cut your energy costs in half, according to the Department of Energy. Try to find a high-energy-efficiency ratio, or EER, or an Energy Star-qualified device. Greater EER ratings indicate a more efficient a/c unit. Energy Star refers to a system adopted by the U.S. Epa and Department of Energy to identify energy-efficient products.
7. Let Humidity Set Your AC Rate.
Set the Air Conditioning fan speed on high, except on really humid days, states the U.S. Department of Energy. On damp days, set the speed on low. The slower air motion through the air-condition equipment eliminates more wetness from the air, enhancing convenience in your house. Assuming that you are looking for more basic info on hvac and cooling browse AUTHORITY, or if you are identifying Air Conditioner Contractor take a look at Absolute Comfort LLC, Heating & Cooling