The warnings have been sounding for months. The National Weather Service has issued an El Nino watch, giving us an increased risk of higher temperatures in the Midwest. Climate change has been increasing the number of 90˚ days around the Chicago Southland over the last several years. Even the Farmer’s Almanac calls for a hotter than normal summer, particularly from late June to mid-July.
Your Maertin Heating and Air Conditioning professionals know this summer is going to be a scorcher.
To combat these potential heat waves, you will likely turn to your air conditioner for relief, but between the increased power demands during a heat wave and the increased prices during this energy crisis, you may be wondering if there’s a way to stay cool while saving money during this hot and potentially expensive summer. Your Maertin technicians recommend homeowners consider the condition of your system, the timing of running the system, and the basic settings of the system to maintain comfort without breaking the bank.
The first step to ensuring an energy and cost-efficient air conditioner is maintaining the appliance. For homeowners, this involves regularly replacing filters, keeping the area outside around compressors clean and free of debris, and scheduling regular routine checkups and maintenance. Cleaning ducts can also help improve the efficiency of your unit. Homeowners can improve these gains by sealing any cracks, doors, or windows that might allow hot air into the home. Without these steps, your AC unit will need to run more frequently and use more energy while running to achieve climate comfort.
Once you’ve ensured your unit is running efficiently, we recommend considering the efficient time to run it. Of course, your AC should be running when people are at home, but if the home is empty during the day, you can save a fair amount of money by increasing the temperature 7 degrees while you’re out. By going up just 7 degrees, you won’t have to use a lot of energy to cool it back down when you get back home.
Raising the thermostat as the outside temperature cools can help you stay comfortable while minimizing your energy use. If you must run your AC lower at night because the heat doesn’t break, use ceiling fans to move the air which feels cooler on your skin.
When you pay for your energy based on peak and off-peak hours, some experts suggest a strategy called “Pre-Cooling.” Pre-Cooling involves programing your thermostat to cool your home in off-peak hours, right before peak hours begin. With a well cooled home, you can run your AC at a higher temperature during peak hours – or turn it off completely – saving money while keeping cool.
Even if you aren’t paying a surcharge for peak hour usage, pre-cooling can help. Your AC unit will have a much easier time getting your house to a comfortable temperature when it’s cooler outside. Pre-cooling and then waiting for the home to slowly heat back up before turning the AC back can be a smart way to save on energy costs and lower your overall energy usage.
Now, make sure your settings are also efficient. Programmable thermostats allow you to schedule the various cooling, pre-cooling, and off times for your system, allowing you to use only the cooling you need only when you need it.
The most important setting on your thermostat is the temperature. Research shows that the optimal energy efficient and comfort temperature for your thermostat in the summer is 78 degrees. Some research allows a range from 75-78 degrees, but the truth is that every degree below 78 increases your energy use by 7%. With just 7 degrees, you increase your energy costs dramatically. A cooling bill that’s $100 quickly climbs to over $160. Remember that your AC unit also removes humidity from the air, even at 78 degrees, and a drier house is a cooler house, especially when you use the lower energy consuming system fan “on” setting.
Stay cool, comfortable and energy efficient this summer by scheduling your Maertin Heating and Air Conditioning pre-season checkup and maintenance appointment. You’ll save money by fixing small problems before they turn into big ones.
Do you have questions about your HVAC system? Just email us! We are always happy to help.
