How to save money on the AC This Summer

In Cumming GA, we all know that running the AC makes our electric bill skyrocket, but the alternative can be much worse. Thankfully, there are many tips that can help you run your AC more efficiently while saving you money.
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Beat the summer heat with these tips:

Fortify your home

If you live in an older Cumming GA residence, chances are the insulation might not be up to par. Right now, cold air may be seeping right through your worn out doorframes, window seals, or other cracks in your home. 

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To find out if this is happening in your residence, consult with your utility company or a certified home energy rater, and schedule an energy audit of your home. They will check your home for leakages and give you advice on how to make your home more energy-efficient.

Alternatively, it's pretty easy to do a simple mini audit yourself. Just put your hands on the windows and doorways to feel if any cold air is escaping. If it is, then caulk the windows and insulate those doorways!

High tech = low savings

It may sound counterintuitive, but specific high tech solutions can help you reduce your energy expenditure and save you money. One such solution is smart thermostats.
They can control your heating and cooling while you're out of the house, and they can even be controlled remotely with an app on your smartphone. Some smart thermostats can also work with Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Wink, Samsung SmartThings, and more Smart Home setups.  Too many options? This article can help you choose the right smart home platform for you.

Thermostat location

Something that people overlook often is thermostat placement. Yes, this matters in saving money, because if you place it in a hot part of your room (like near a window for instance), it will fool the thermostat into thinking that the room is more heated than it is. Here's a guide on how to place the thermostat in your room.

Shut those blinds!

There are multiple benefits of shutting your blinds during the day. One advantage is that you and the room will feel cooler so your thermostat will not have to work as hard. The second advantage is that shutting the blinds will provide some insulation and prevent some cold air from escaping.

Become a fan of fans

The NRDC reports that a ceiling fan can make your room seem like it's 10 degrees cooler than it really is. What's more, it uses only 10% of the energy of a central AC.
There are also smart fans available. So, with an app, you can schedule when the fan runs and at what speeds.

Going out? Turn up the temp

There's a common misconception in Cumming GA that when leaving the house, you should leave the temperature as it is so that the AC won't work as hard to re-cool your home when you come back. However, this isn't what happens. According to Lauren Urbanek from the NRDC, the cheapest way to run your AC when you're gone is to turn up the AC temperature.

That's because air conditioners work more efficiently when running for more extended periods of time at full speeds. So, cycling the temps on and off while you're gone is not going to save you any money.

A thermostat that you can program is all you need for your AC to maintain the correct temperature. You can set it to run at higher temperatures when nobody's home and start to cool down right before coming home.

Go high, not low

Of course, one of the best money-saving tips for running your air conditioner in the summer is to set the AC at the highest temperature you can tolerate. During the summer, even a small adjustment can save you a lot of money.

The Nebraska Energy Office confirms this fact. They report that you can save 10% on your energy bills by raising your thermostat 10-15 degrees for 8 hours every day.

Moreover, if tolerable, the best temperature to run at home would be 78 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Department of Energy.
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If you need assistance with your air conditioning in Cumming GA, Jade Heating and Air are here to help. You can get in touch with us here.