Warm weather has finally arrived. Homeowners across Southern Maryland are gearing up for beach vacations, backyard barbecues, and more. While we enjoy the extra dose of vitamin D, let’s not forget about our energy spending! Add these tips to your daily routine to lower energy consumption and cut summer bills. When summer really brings the heat, you’ll be happy that you did!
1. Install a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat uses pre programmed settings to automatically adjust the temperature in your home. You can adjust these based on your family’s schedule to make the most of out of your home comfort systems. Setting your programmable thermostat to turn down the A/C when you are out of the house or asleep can significantly reduce energy waste and help lower your utility bills. Not to mention, a programmable thermostat is also compatible with your heating system to do the same during the colder months.
2. Schedule Your A/C Tune-Up
If you haven’t already scheduled annual maintenance from your local HVAC technician, now’s the time! Maintenance for your air conditioner offers many benefits, such as minimizing the risk of a breakdown, extending the life of your equipment, and improving performance for your comfort. But did you know that a tune-up actually helps you save money? A professionally maintained system runs more efficiently, which can lower your summer energy bills by up to 10%. Plus, if you have your system filters cleaned or replaced, you can reduce your energy consumption by another 5-10%.
3. Close Your Curtains
A simple step that can help the savings add up! On hot, sunny days, the sun’s rays can raise the indoor temperature of your home, causing your air conditioning system to work harder and run longer.
4. Use the Ceiling Fan
If the A/C is on, you may not see a need to turn on a ceiling fan. But if you run both together, you can actually raise the temperature on your thermostat by up to four degrees without impacting your comfort. Just make sure you turn off the ceiling fan when you leave the room to boost energy savings.
5. Cook Outdoors
Outdoor cooking is one of the best parts of summer! Not only is grilling a healthy option, but it can also help keep your energy budget in check. Cooking in your oven can throw off extra heat, causing your air conditioning system to work overtime on warm days.
Looking for more helpful energy-saving tips for every season? Contact your local home comfort experts at Burch Oil today!
