How to Keep More Cool Cash (in a Hot Summer)

Since your cooling system is already in high gear, take a look at how to save money this summer and keep your cool.  You'll like these eneergy saving tips....

·         Set your thermostat at 78°F or higher. Each degree setting below 78°F will increase your energy consumption by approximately 8%.

·         Use bath and kitchen fans sparingly when the air conditioner is operating. They can pull out an entire home’s cooling in one hour.

·         Inspect and clean both the indoor and outdoor coils. The indoor coil is like a magnet because it is constantly wetted during the cooling season. Dirt buildup on the indoor coil is the single most common cause of poor efficiency. The outdoor coil must also be checked for dirt buildup and cleaned if necessary.

·         Check the refrigerant level. The circulating fluid in your air conditioner is what keeps you cool. But like most things under pressure, it tries to escape! If there’s too little or too much refrigerant, your system will not work properly. Call us to check it out for you.

·         Reduce the cooling load. For example, effectively shade south and west windows. When possible, delay heat-generating activities, such as dishwashing, until the evening on hot days.

·         Keep the house closed tight during the day. If practical, ventilate at night either naturally or with fans.

Out with the old, in with the cool

If you have an older central air conditioner (8 years or older), it may cost more in energy and repairs than replacing it with a completely new system!

When buying new, choose a model with a high efficiency rating, such as a system that has an Energy Star^® label with SEER ratings of 14 or greater. Other features to look for include:

§  Quiet operation. New ones are much quieter.

§  “Fan-only” switch, so you can use the unit for nighttime ventilation to substantially reduce air-conditioning costs.

§  Filter “check light” to remind you to check the filter. Great feature!

§  Automatic-delay fan switch to turn off the fan a few minutes after the compressor turns off.

If you’ll follow a few of these tips or let us evaluate your system, we can show you how to keep even more dollars from going into thin air. This is our job… to keep you comfortable and save some money! Give us a call at 918-582-4792 if we can help you or your friends. Schedule your appointment to review your energy options here.