Summer nights can be a real pain when you come home from work to an overheated house. Not only that, but it’s also often an expensive endeavor.
Smartly setting your thermostat can give you a cool and comfortable home while saving money on energy bills. Here are a few ways to make your air conditioning unit more energy-efficient so you can reduce cooling expenses.
Size of your home
When cooling a home from 80 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, the size of your residence plays an important role. Not only does this impact energy bills for homeowners, but also how well-run your HVAC system is.
When looking for a new home, it’s important that the space provides enough comfort for your family without sacrificing quality of life. If you’re considering moving, taking into account both your lifestyle and how much square footage really needs can help ensure that the new place meets all of your requirements.
Although everyone’s situation and family structure is unique, a general guideline suggests aiming for a home size between 1,816 and 3,027 square feet. This amount of space should provide enough comfort while still leaving space for storage needs and rooms for kids.
To determine what size home you can afford and provide enough square footage for your family, begin by considering both current and long-term goals. Are you expecting to expand, move into a larger house, or retire? All these things will influence the ideal size home.
Once you have an idea of your ideal home size, begin researching homes in your area that meet these criteria. Consider factors like neighborhood size, room count and other features when determining whether a house is worth buying or not.
Additionally, the size of your home can have an impact on how much you pay in property taxes. A larger residence will ultimately end up costing more in the long run.
Calculating the square footage of your home begins by measuring its length and width in feet. Use a ruler for accurate measurements, but if in doubt, try doing the math by hand. Once you have your total, multiply each room’s square footage by its total to get the overall square footage for your residence.
Insulation
Are you having difficulty maintaining the temperature in your house? Insulation could be the solution. Insulating can reduce heat entry into your house, helping your air conditioner run less frequently.
Insulating your house with various materials such as fiberglass, mineral wool, cellulose and natural fibers is possible. Each has its own R-value (thermal resistance), which determines how effective the insulation will be.
Before selecting a specific product, it is important to consult the R-value chart on its packaging and manufacturer’s website in order to determine which option is best suited for your climate. Using products with lower R values than recommended can cause issues like condensation in walls and roof, as well as reduced comfort levels.
Insulating your home during construction can offer significant energy savings and improve its performance over its life. However, it is essential to install insulation correctly so that it works as intended and prevents moisture and mould issues.
Some types of insulation, like spray foam, require professional installation and may even need special tools to apply. Before you decide to insulate your home yourself, ask contractors about their experience installing the type of insulation you’re considering.
Other types of insulation include blown-in and loose fill, which can be made from cellulose, fiberglass or mineral wool. These are frequently utilized in loft floors and cavity walls.
Foam boards, which can be applied directly or sprayed to fill in gaps, are another popular option. You have your choice of open cell or closed-cell varieties to meet whatever requirements you have.
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are prefabricated structural elements designed for use in walls, ceilings and floors of a building. SIPs offer superior insulation compared to more traditional methods of construction, leading to lower energy bills and greater comfort for building occupants.
When selecting products for your needs and budget, it’s essential to take into account their environmental benefits. Many manufacturers provide green ratings for their items.
Refrigerant leaks
When it comes to cooling your home, many factors come into play. Size of your house, temperature outside and what kind of air conditioning system you have installed all play a role.
If your house is having difficulty staying cool, it may be time for an HVAC expert to inspect your system and fix any problems. A refrigerant leak could exist or you may need a complete replacement of your AC unit; whatever the case, having experienced technicians come out can ensure your AC works again before paying higher electric bills.
Refrigerant is the chemical mix that circulates through your AC system, changing from liquid to gas as it absorbs and releases heat. It plays an essential role in keeping you comfortable even on hot summer days.
When your AC unit is functioning optimally, it won’t have to work as hard to produce cold air for your home. This saves money on energy bills by keeping your house at an appropriate temperature.
However, when your AC system detects a refrigerant leak, it has to work harder in order to maintain your home at the desired temperature. This can result in higher utility bills as well as premature AC unit breakdown.
When you detect signs of a refrigerant leak, the first step to take is to turn off your system and unplug it from the wall. Doing this will prevent any fumes from escaping into your home, plus you can shut off the circuit breaker for your AC unit until repairs have been made.
HVAC technicians use state-of-the-art leak detection equipment to check for holes and cracks in your system’s line sets. This allows them to pinpoint where the leaks are located and take steps to stop them before becoming more serious issues with your AC system.
A refrigerant leak is a major safety hazard, as it can release hazardous fumes into your home and lead to health issues. These gases can be inhaled or absorbed through skin contact, leading to headaches, dizziness, coughing fits, and more.
Ceiling fans
Ceiling fans in your home not only circulate air, but they can also help cool you off on hot summer days. You have complete control over their speed, direction of rotation and lighting settings to suit personal taste and preferences.
Ceiling fans are an indispensable addition to any room, not only providing ventilation and aesthetic value. These versatile devices come in a range of styles and materials, making it simple to find one that perfectly suits your individual taste.
If your home is large, it will take longer for an air conditioner to cool it from 80 degrees to 72. This is because outdoor heat penetrates more slowly into your house, necessitating your AC to work harder in order to provide comfort.
That is why selecting the appropriate ceiling fan with the proper airflow and speeds is so important – you’ll be able to cool down your space in no time! A fan with a powerful motor and powerful blades will move more air, thus cooling the space more rapidly.
For smaller rooms, opt for a fan with a lower speed. This will enable your air conditioning unit to work more efficiently and save money on energy bills.
Another popular option is a digital wall control that enables you to adjust the fan’s speed and turn it on/off without using any wires at all. Additionally, this type of control can adjust the fan’s angle as well.
Some ceiling fans feature a pull-chain that lets you control both the fan and its light. This is usually combined with a variable speed control that can be set to an ergonomic position; this makes it particularly handy for adjusting the speed according to your mood or when away from home. With this feature, changing the fan speed won’t disrupt your sleep or work activities.
