Summer is coming, and for certain parts of the United States, that means temperatures over 120 degrees! In some areas of the country, even spring can get hot. New Jersey humidity can turn 80 degrees into a sauna. The solution for many households dealing with sweltering weather in the coming months is an excellent air conditioner.
But did you know air conditioners that have been lying dormant all year should get run through a pre-check? Also, did you know that there are a number of ways you can stay cool and keep your electricity bill down? It’s true! Here are some tips to make sure your AC is ready when switching from heat to air conditioning during warm months and to help you keep your energy expenses in check!
Ensure Your Filter Is Clean
If you own an air conditioning unit that’s running frequently, you should be checking its filters on a monthly basis. During the hot season, your air conditioner sucks up dust, pollen, and an assortment of allergens.
A filter is designed to keep these out of the air that’s pumped into your home. If it’s clogged, these harmful airborne materials may make their way inside or at very least, prevent your AC from cooling properly. Note that depending on your AC, your filters will either be disposable or reusable.
Keep Your Thermostat Away From Heat
Your thermostat is very sensitive to the temperature of your room. It has to be in order to make sure it’s keeping things at the temperature you want. Due to this sensitivity, if your thermostat gets exposed to heat that is not indicative of how hot the rest of the room is, it may over cool. This will lead to hikes in your energy bill. Make sure your thermostat is located in a temperature neutral place. Keep it away from candles, direct sunlight, etc.
Make Sure Your House Is Insulated
Poor insulation is an electricity bill conscious homeowner’s nightmare. With poor insulation, your room won’t be able to hold in the cold air that’s getting pumped into it. This will make your AC work overtime, trying to compensate by pushing in more cold air. While this compensation may work as far as keeping your room at a desirable temperature, it can be extremely costly.
Save yourself money and make sure your windows are properly sealed. Also, make sure the gap under your doorway is blocked. Properly insulating your home may cost you money if your lack of insulation is a structural issue. Still, these expenses pale in comparison to the annual additional expense you’re incurring every time you turn on the air conditioner.
Get a Ceiling Fan Assist
Ceiling fans can act as a wonderful compliment to your AC unit. Typically, fans run in a clockwise motion to lift heat upwards and out of your living space. If your fan is capable of doing so, running its blades in a counterclockwise motion can push air down onto you. If the air in your space is cool due to your AC unit, that means that the refreshing air circling your space will get blown back down on you creating an additional chill.
Set It and Forget It
It can be tempting to constantly fiddle with a thermostat. A small adjustment though can mean big money at the end of the month. For every degree you move your thermostat under 78 degrees, energy use is boosted by 8%. If your bill is $100.00 at 78 degrees, it’s $108.00 at 77. Go a few degrees lower, and you’re looking at a significant cooling costs hike.
Try Upgrading Your Thermostat or AC Unit
We get the fact that money is tight and the last thing people want to do is upgrade their appliances. But upgrading, while an inconvenient expense up front, can mean a lot of savings over time.
Take a new AC unit for example. With a modern unit, air will be pushed into your house more efficiently meaning a lower cost on your energy bill out of the box. It also means additional comfort for your household.
With a new thermostat, modern digital ones allow you to set temperatures remotely. That means that if you’re at work and want to make sure your thermostat got adjusted accordingly, you can check from your phone. Better yet, modern thermostats enable you to program them, so they change based on time of the day and temperature outside.
Call a Qualified HVAC technician
At the end of the day, there really is no substitute for having an experienced HVAC technician in your corner when it comes to your AC unit. This is especially true just before the hot months arrive. An HVAC technician can look over your AC before hot weather rolls in to make sure you’re prepared. If your unit needs fixes, they can make them on your behalf.
This reduces the chance of your AC unit breaking in the middle of a heat wave and having to wait weeks for a backed up technician to service your unit. Your HVAC technician can also give you personalized tips on when to turn on AC, things you can do to reduce your bill, and more. Bottom line, having an annual HVAC technician inspect your unit is an excellent investment in your comfort and your wallet.
Wrapping up Switching from Heat to Air Conditioning Tips
When spring and summer roll in, it can get hot. That means you’ll likely be switching from heat to air conditioning. To make sure your unit keeps you cool during the hot season, practice the tips listed above and be sure to call your local HVAC technician for assistance! If you’re located in the New Jersey general area and need help, our team can give you the assistance you need.
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Mikulka Electricians are always professional and efficient. Insured and trained to do the job right the first time. Experts in the field of electrics with over 25 years’ experience. Prepared with up-front pricing and a lifetime guarantee. We observe all personal protective equipment and COVID 19 requirements to keep our staff and your family safe. Our team of experts will respond immediately to your call for help. Call Mikulka Electric, Inc. for a wide range of electrical services, including indoor and outdoor lighting, electrical heating, electrical repairs, and back-up generators. We service the Central New Jersey area. Address 275 RT. 79 Morganville, NJ 07751 https://mikulka-electric.com/contact-us/