Hot Texas summers mean increased energy usage as you turn up the AC, so you will want to find ways to keep your electric bills down. The following five pointers should help you decrease electricity costs this summer.
1. Improved Insulation
You might think insulation in your walls and attic is just for keeping warm, but it can help you keep cool during the summer as well. Put simply, it will keep the heat from outside from seeping into your home and keep cool air from your AC from escaping. Weather stripping around your doors and windows can also prevent conditioned air from leaking out of the house.
2. Energy-Efficient Windows
Direct sun shining through windows can really raise summer electric bills, so keeping sunlight from heating your home through the windows is a must. Specially treated windowpanes combined with curtains or blinds can keep the sun from turning your house into an oven.
3. Install a Smart Thermostat
Another major factor in electrical usage stems from the way the thermostat is used in your home. Programmable and smart thermostats can be fine-tuned to keep your home at just the right temperature when you’re home, and then decrease AC usage while you’re away or asleep. When used correctly, programmable thermostats can result in sizeable savings on electricity during the summer months.
4. Dimmer Switches
Normal light switches have two settings: off, and on. This means you’re either using the maximum amount of electricity for your lighting or none at all. Light dimmers, on the other hand, allow you to use only as much light as you need, thus keeping your electricity bills down (not to mention allowing for some cool lighting effects to set the right tone for entertainment).
5. Regular HVAC Maintenance
Since the AC accounts for a large portion of your electricity usage during the summer, keeping it in good running order will help keep those costs down. An old or worn AC will use more electricity, so regular maintenance is key to energy efficiency. HVAC professionals, such as us at Climate Tech AC and Heating, can help you keep your electricity costs down this summer with a seasonal AC maintenance visit. Schedule a visit today by calling (469) 331-9676.
