If you live in the Carolinas, keeping your home cool in Summer means higher utility bills but there are some simple things you can do to stay cool and save money on your power bill.
Don’t Cool Your Neighborhood
If your home isn’t brand new then it’s probably not air tight. This means that cool air is more than likely sneaking out around worn doors and cracks around windows. A simple way to determine this is to stand outside and run your hand around your windows and along the doors. If you feel cool air, then you need to caulk around the windows and add additional insulation around your doors. It’s also important to make sure your attic is properly insulated as well.
Up-Grade To A Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat is one way to save on your power bill.
Smart thermostats allow you to regulate your heating and cooling when you are not at home. This eliminates wasting energy cooling an empty house and the ability to control the temperature remotely ensures you always return home to a cool comfortable home regardless of weather conditions.
At Horne we offer a selection of quality Smart Thermostats, contact us for the model that will best suit your needs.
Proper Thermostat Placement
Making sure your thermostat is placed on the right wall plays a major role in how well your air conditioner works. When thinking about where to install your thermostat, you want to avoid areas that can experience temperature extremes that can make your thermostat think the room’s cooler or warmer than it really is.
Some places to avoid installing your thermostat are: near doors that allow in drafts, near windows that allow the sun’s hot rays to shine on the thermostat, close to a bathroom where steam can settle around the thermostat and exterior walls which tend to be cooler than interior walls. Finally, don’t place your thermostat in a hallway or room that is rarely used. If so, your thermostat won’t be reading the temperature of the area you want to stay cool the most.
Instead, put your thermostat in a room that is most often used. Remember to position it on a wall that is unobstructed by doors and bookshelves or other decoration. This will allow the thermostat’s sensors to perform properly.
Close Your Blinds
Keep your blinds closed during the warmest part of the day. This will keep the heat of the sun out. Sounds simple but will make a difference.
Use A Ceiling Fan
Sometimes this is all you need to feel a lot cooler. Using a ceiling fan can actually make a room feel 10 degrees cooler and will use 10% less energy than a central air conditioner.
Raise The Temperature
Always set your thermostat at the highest temperature you can stand to save the most money. Even a small change in temperature can save you a lot of money. Setting your thermostat 10-15 degrees higher for 8 hours a day can save you 10% a year on your cooling bills.
Horne Heating and Air Conditioning is always available to answer any questions you may have on keeping you and your family comfortable in the Carolina heat. Feel free to give us a call at (704) 321-4173 or visit the web www.hornehvac.com
