During the summer, you want to keep your Columbia, Maryland, home cool. But finding out you’re paying more than your neighbor for cooling costs can be frustrating. Find out how using a programmable thermostat, keeping up with HVAC maintenance, and other ideas can decrease cooling costs in your Maryland home and lower your monthly energy bill.
Block the Sunlight
Direct sunlight entering your house can make the temperature inside uncomfortably warm. One of the simplest ways to help keep your home cool by using less energy is to block daytime sunlight.
You can close your drapes or your blinds when the sun is at its hottest. For a long-term solution, consider planting shade trees outside large windows. Trees add value and beauty to your property, while lowering home cooling costs over time.
Apply Window Tinting
If you enjoy the bright and cheery effect sunlight has in your house, you may not want to close your drapes. In that case, consider applying window tinting to reduce the heat coming through your windows.
Look for rolls of window tinting at your local home improvement store. The tinting film is affordable and simple to install. Since windows that face the south or the west often receive the most sun through them, installing tinting on these windows can result in the greatest decrease in your home cooling costs.
Use Fans
Instead of turning the air conditioner thermostat lower when you feel warm, leave the thermostat alone and try using a fan to cool off. Turning your air conditioner down uses energy to remove heat from each room in your home, while a fan uses only enough energy to cool one room.
A fan can also help you feel cooler and use less energy than your air conditioner. To save more money on your energy bills, remember to turn off your fan when you leave a room.
Keep Up With Maintenance Tasks
Help your air conditioner run at peak efficiency by keeping up with regular maintenance. Simple DIY maintenance includes cleaning or changing the air filter monthly, moving any furniture or drapes blocking your air ducts, and clearing space around the outdoor compressor unit.
To keep your air conditioner in top condition, schedule a seasonal HVAC maintenance visit. A technician can service parts that you can’t reach and can help you prevent costly system breakdowns. Griffith Energy Services makes upkeep simple; our maintenance plans are designed to keep your air conditioner in top condition.
Switch to CFL or LED Light Bulbs
Incandescent light bulbs can produce much heat — heat that your air conditioner must remove to keep your home cool. Switch your incandescent light bulbs to CFL or LED light bulbs which last longer, consume less electricity, and produce less heat.
While switching to modern light bulbs has an upfront cost, the purchase pays for itself over time with lower monthly utility bills.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
Few homeowners enjoy coming home to a sweltering house, so it’s tempting to run the air conditioner all day. However, cooling an empty house all day isn’t the only way to beat the heat. Programmable thermostats let you adjust the temperature of your home depending on the time of day.
Keep your house comfortable and save money by setting the temperature to a higher setting while you’re away, then cooling it down shortly before you return home. Contact Griffith Energy Services to discover how a programmable thermostat can save you money.
Upgrade to Zoned Air Conditioning
Ductless mini-split systems are ideal for homeowners looking to cool certain rooms of the home. By cooling only the rooms you use, instead of your entire house, you can save money on your monthly energy bills.
A mini-split system targets specific zones, such as bedrooms or living rooms. This system is affordable, efficient, and simple to install. In fact, most installations are unobtrusive and take less than a day.
Griffith Energy Services has served Columbia, Maryland, homeowners and the surrounding area for more than 100 years. Contact us at 888-474-3391 to learn more about our HVAC system maintenance plans and more money-saving solutions for your home.
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