Ways You’re Inadvertently Raising Your Home Cooling Costs
Home cooling costs during the summer months are no joke. Depending on where you’re based and the size of your residence, keeping your home consistently cooled can easily run you hundreds of dollars per month. While there’s no definitive end-all solution for cooling costs, there are a number of simple steps you can take to make cooling your home considerably less pricey.
One way to manage your home’s cooling costs is to choose the right electricity provider for you, such as a deregulated electric company. Electricity is deregulated in much of the US, including in Texas. Consumers can shop for electricity in their homes, to cut their electricity bills. For example, you can easily compare electricity rates in Ft Worth Texas, and other cities by shopping online for your electric company. This helps you cut household bills.
Unbeknownst to many households, certain commonplace behaviors directly contribute to high cooling costs – and a willingness to change these behaviors stands to save you a significant sum. So, if you’re tired of paying an arm and a leg to keep your home cool throughout the summer, be mindful of the following blunders.
Improper AC Maintenance
When was the last time you had your HVAC system checked by a qualified professional? A malfunctioning air conditioner works twice as hard as a new or in good condition AC. That’s why improper or lack of AC maintenance can significantly increase your cooling costs every month. So, it’s about time to contact an HVAC specialist.
Your home’s central AC system needs to be cleaned and serviced at least once a year. This helps ensure that it’s able to perform its job as effectively and efficiently as possible. In addition, annual service visits can extend the lifespans of AC systems – and given how expensive high-quality air conditioning setups are, this can help you save a small fortune. Conversely, failing to have your AC system cleaned and serviced on an annual basis can make it difficult for the system to operate at peak efficiency and increase the likelihood of large-scale problems.
Some of us are hesitant to commit to annual cleanings and service visits because of perceived cost. If your AC system isn’t currently under warranty, such visits are likely to cost a little bit of money. However, even the most frugal among us would agree that spending a small to moderate amount of money in the short term is preferable to parting with a king’s ransom in the long run. By the same token, if you encounter problems with your AC over the summer, make sure to have these issues looked at in a timely manner. The longer you wait, the more fixing the problem is going to cost.
Using Traditional Light Bulbs
At this point, there’s no excuse for not making the switch to energy-efficient light bulbs. They use less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, they last much longer and, despite costing a little more, are ultimately more cost-effective. Another reason to ditch incandescents is the high level of heat they give off. Needless to say, this can contribute to uncomfortable indoor temps throughout the summer months. On the flipside, energy-efficient bulbs generate far less heat, making them ideal for households that are serious about home cooling – and eco-consciousness.
Keeping Curtains and Blinds Open During the Day
Who doesn’t love seeing the sun shine and feeling its warmth upon waking up early in the morning? People benefit much from natural light. The sun can help activate vitamin D in the body, which is healthy for the bones, joints, ligaments, teeth, and gums. Your skin also needs a touch of natural light to keep it healthy. However, keeping your window treatments open during the day can increase your cooling cost.
Even if you’re fond of natural lighting, keeping your curtains and/or blinds open during the day stands to make your home a less comfortable place during the summer months. Not only can the summer sun imbue the inside of your home with an unnecessary degree of brightness, it can also lead to a noticeable indoor temperature increase. As such, it’s recommended that you keep your window dressings closed during the daylight hours. If excessive sunlight is a consistent problem in your home, consider swapping out your current window dressings for blackout curtains.
Not Taking Full Advantage of Your Ceiling Fans
In many households, ceiling fans play second fiddle to air conditioning. However, while they may not provide the same level of cooling as state-of-the-art AC systems, modern ceiling fans can serve as invaluable cooling aids in any home. For example, they can be used to increase airflow and distribute the cool air from your air conditioning system throughout your entire house. In addition, once their blades have been set to rotate counterclockwise, ceiling fans can produce refreshing downward-flowing breezes. If the temps in your area undergo a noticeable drop during the overnight hours, you can give your AC a break by opening some windows and allowing your ceiling fans to distribute Mother Nature’s gift.
As a homeowner, few things are more frustrating than being presented with outlandish summertime utility bills. Sure, maintaining a comfortably cool home throughout the summer season is important, but shelling out a small fortune every month can leave a sizable hole in your finances. When looking for effective ways to reduce your utility costs, you’d do well to examine certain habits and behaviors and alter your approach to home cooling accordingly.
