Summers in Texas are longer and hotter than in other areas of the United States. This increased use of air conditioning is one of the primary factors in the increased spending on electricity and natural gas, which means homeowners have less money to spend on other things. It’s not all bad news, though. With the help of some money saving tips and techniques for coping with increased summer temperatures in central Texas, you can save some of your hard earned income. Read on to learn more about the best temperature for AC to save money. By following these simple tips, you can have some extra spending money to use to pay for items your family will really enjoy.
Raise The Temperature
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends keeping the indoor temperature of your home at 78 degrees Fahrenheit to reduce your electricity bill. Although this might seem high at first, it is a temperature that will still allow you to be comfortable while at home. Most homeowners are shocked to learn that every degree below 78 degrees increases your energy use by between 3% and 4%. In the hot summers we endure here in Texas, these savings can add up very quickly.
Utilize Your Ceiling Fan
A typical two-ton air conditioning unit can use around 3,500 watts per hour. A ceiling fan, on the other hand, only uses between 15 and 95 watts. If you do turn on a ceiling fan to cool your room, keep in mind to check and make sure your fan is spinning the correct direction. When your fan is pushing air down, a fan will move air past your body and pushes this warmer air away from your body. Typically, most fans need to be spinning counter-clockwise for this to happen.
Invest In A Timer
Another tip to reduce your cooling bill is to set a timer for your HVAC unit or window unit so that the unit turns on just before you come home. There is no sense in cooling a home if no one is inside. If there are rooms that are not used much, you may reduce your energy usage by closing the registers or vents in those rooms to allow cool air to go where it is most needed.
Regular Air Filter Maintenance
Your filters have to work much harder if they are clogged or dirty, resulting in added electricity and higher electric bills. If you don’t already know how to, learn how to change your central air conditioner filter, and make sure to clean or change your filter once per month. Performing this regular maintenance will allow your unit to perform more efficiently.
Size Your AC Correctly
There are several air conditioner types. To avoid wasting any money, make sure to buy an AC unit that is right for you and appropriate to your home’s size and layout. Just because a unit is bigger, that doesn’t mean your house will be cooler. If there is one thing we can agree on, it’s that although we like things bigger in Texas, we’d prefer our electricity bill stay smaller. To save money on what is probably your most expensive home appliance, do not invest in a heating and cooling system that is oversized.
Create Artificial Shade For Your Home
If you do use a window unit to cool your home, try to install it in a shady spot. Why? Because doing so will make the unit use less energy. Using drapes or blinds to block the sunlight will also keep your rooms significantly cooler, especially on the west-facing side of homes.
Update Your Insulation
Yet another way to keep your utility bills down is to make sure that your attic insulation and weatherproofing is up to standards to prevent heat or air from leaking around doors, windows or through the ceiling.
ABC Can Help You Save On Your Energy Bills
All of these tips seem small and easy. In using them in conjunction, you’ll find the best temperature for your AC to balance saving money and keeping comfortable. If you would like to assess the health of your current AC unit or are considering a new unit, contact the experts at ABC Home & Commercial Services. We can advise you on energy improvements, help perform maintenance, make any repairs to your system and advise you on whether it makes sense to invest in a newer, more energy-efficient unit.
