Author: Jeff O'Hara
The summer is hot in Houston and thank goodness for air conditioning. Without it, your home would be a very uncomfortable place. But, along with the convenience and comfort of air conditioning, comes the price. And when that electric bill comes in, it can be shocking in more ways than one.
Fortunately, there are ways to still enjoy your air conditioning and save some money on your electricity bill at the same time. In this article, we’ll look at some simple ways to get the benefits of air conditioning without it breaking the bank.
How Can I Save Money on My AC in the Summer?
Maybe you like to have the temperature so cold in your house during the summer that you need to wear a sweater. While you may feel good and cold with this strategy, it will result in very high energy bills. A simple solution is to take off the sweater and raise the temperature of your thermostat a few degrees.
You don’t have to set the temperature so high that you’re sweating. Just set the thermostat as high as comfortable for you when you are home. The Department of Energy estimates that raising your thermostat 7-10 degrees higher for 8 hours a day can save you as much as 10% a year on your energy bill.
Is It Cheaper to Leave My AC on All Day?
It seems logical that if you’re going to be out of your house for most of the day, you should turn off your air conditioner to save money. However, that’s not necessarily true. If you turn off your air conditioner completely, the house will get extremely hot. When you turn on the air conditioner again to get the house cool again, your unit will have to work extra hard to get the temperature back to one that is comfortable.
It’s actually better to raise the temperature of the thermostat instead of completely turning it off when you leave the house. That way, the unit will not work as hard when you lower the thermostat and you will save money.
How Can I Make My House More Energy Efficient in the Summer?
There are many things you can do to make your home energy efficient in the summer. Here are three of the most effective ones:
1. Get a programmable or smart thermostat.
A programmable thermostat saves you money because you can set the times when you want the air conditioner to turn on and off. So, if you’re going to be out for most of the day, you can set the thermostat to turn on before you come home so that the desired temperature is reached by the time you get home. A smart thermostat does everything a programmable thermostat does. In addition, it learns your cooling patterns and makes automatic adjustments to maximize your comfort.
2. Upgrade or maintain your cooling system.
If you have an old air conditioner it may not be efficient and you could be paying more on your energy bills than you need to. Even if your air conditioner is up to date, it’s a good idea to make sure that it is running in peak condition. Have a professional check out your system to see if it needs any maintenance or upgrades.
3. Seal up air leaks around windows and doors.
You pay a lot of money to keep your house cool in the hot summer months. It would be a shame if you lost that nice, cool air to leaks around your window or door. Check around windows and doors to see if you are losing air. If you are, you can seal up the leaks with caulk or with weatherstripping. It’s a small investment that could save you a lot on your energy bill.
Do Air Conditioner Prices Go Up in the Summer?
Let’s think about the simple process of supply and demand. In the summer, it’s hot and a lot of people want air conditioning to keep cool. So, it stands to reason that more people will demand air conditioning in the summer, supply will be lower and prices will be higher. So, yes, air conditioner prices do go up in the summer.
In the cooler months, demand is lower and retailers may find themselves overstocked with supply. They may offer discounts to entice customers to buy during the off-season and those lower prices are going to benefit you. Similarly, if you are looking to purchase central AC, it’s better to try in the spring or fall since HVAC contractors are not as busy during those times.
Houston summers can be pretty hot, and Nick’s Air Conditioning is here to help you get through. Our HVAC experts can help you in maintaining or choosing an air conditioning system that is best for you and your home. Call us today at (346) 471-2499 or contact us on our website to find out about air conditioning solutions that will work for you.
Sources:
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/programmable-thermostats