Energy costs are rising, and with summer officially here, you might be thinking about air conditioning and how it affects your electricity bills. The good news is that there are ways to reduce the burden on your air conditioner and save money on energy this summer. Our real estate agents have some tips to stay cool and save during the summer months.
- Update Your Thermostat
Do you still have a dial-style thermostat? Upgrading to a programmable thermostat will save you a bundle on energy. You can program your home temperature to rise when you’re away and then drop down just before you get home from work. This way, you won’t be paying to cool an empty house.Upgrading to a WiFi thermostat can yield even more savings. These thermostats coordinate with an app, which allows you to monitor your energy use and adjust accordingly.
- Turn on Your Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans don’t cool your home, but they do keep air moving, which helps you feel cooler. With your ceiling fan off, you may be comfortable in a 72-degree home. With the ceiling fan running, you may be able to turn the thermostat up to 74 degrees and enjoy the same level of comfort.Ceiling fans are really energy-efficient and don’t cost much to run. If you don’t have one in your common living areas, consider installing one.
- Switch to Fluorescent Bulbs
Fluorescent light bulbs use a lot less electricity. However, they also give off less heat than traditional light bulbs. This means that your home will stay cooler, and your AC won’t have to consume as much energy to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. You can often find big packages of fluorescent bulbs on sale at home improvement stores. - Keep Your Windows Closed
Opening your windows at night can be tempting when the air is cooler. But when you do this, you allow humidity to enter the home. Your air conditioner then has to spend the next day pulling that humidity out of your indoor air. You’ll use less energy if you just leave the windows closed all of the time once your AC is running. - Seal Leaky Windows
Do you have any windows that are loose in their frames? Purchase a package of rope caulk. This type of caulk has the texture of sticky tack and comes in rolls. You can pull a long strand off, push it into the gap between your window and frame, and seal that leak.Sealing your leaky windows will keep warm air from sneaking in and counteracting the effects of your air conditioner. And if you ever need to remove the rope caulk, you can just pull it off.
- Change Your Air Filter
The air filter in your air conditioner is meant to trap dust so it doesn’t keep circulating through your air. Eventually, it gets so full of dust that it doesn’t let air flow freely. Your AC unit then has to work extra to do when pushing air through that filter. This causes your energy bills to rise.If you change your AC filter more often, your energy bills will remain lower. Most people need to change theirs once every two or three months.
Follow these tips, and you’ll keep your energy bills manageable this summer. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you’re looking for a new home on Long Island. We can help you find an energy-efficient space.