Save Energy & Money This Summer! 8 Tips To Improving Comfort & Efficiency

Keeping your home cool isn’t cheap. Fortunately, there are ways to stay cool and comfortable without breaking the bank – with and without your Bryant AC system. What are the secrets to controlling your energy bills while maximizing comfort?

Budget-Friendly Ways to Stay Cool this Summer

1. Create shade.
   Reduce solar heat gain indoors and out. Landscape around your home with tall shrubbery or trees. Indoors, seal sunlight out with blinds or insulated curtains. For summer, drapes with a white backing are best for deflecting the sun.
2. Block sunlight.
   Tinted or reflective window coverings block solar heat, preventing it from warming your home.
3. Cool off with cross ventilation.
   If you live in a single-story home, cross ventilation is another way to stay cool without running the AC. Choose two windows on opposite sides of your home, placing a box fan in one, blower side in. In the opposite window, place the other fan, blower out. This will help move warm air out of your home as cooler outdoor air moves in.
4. Save with ceiling fans.
   Ceiling fans create a wind-chill effect on your skin, helping you feel up to 7 degrees cooler without air conditioning. Too hot for fans alone? Running them in conjunction with your air conditioning will allow you to adjust settings for energy savings while still enjoying a cool, comfortable home.
5. Improve the performance of your air conditioner.
   On the dog days of summer, when AC use is a must, make sure you get the most bang for your energy buck with a well-tended system. Make sure ductwork is sealed, as leaky ducts can reduce system efficiency by up to 40%. Likewise, plug leaks that allow cool conditioned air to escape, like those around doors, windows, and plumbing. Change your air filter, and clean the space surrounding your outside unit. These easy tasks allow your AC system to flow more freely and efficiently.
6. Upgrade to a programmable thermostat.
   Today’s programmable thermostats are extremely affordable, offering large paybacks in energy savings. They automatically switch to warmer temperatures when your home is unoccupied, changing to a cooler temperature to ensure a comfortable return after work/school hours.
7. Step up to a more efficient system.
   When it’s time to replace your ailing AC system, look to a high SEER model with an Energy Star label. Energy Star air conditioning systems offer significant savings on monthly energy costs and often qualify for rebates and tax incentives.  

Can’t stand the heat? Stay cool and save money with the help of H & H Heating & Air Conditioning. Contact for a system performance check today.

This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/save-energy-money-this-summer-8-tips-to-improving-comfort-efficiency/