Energy costs are insane and few appliances rival the AC when it comes to sucking power from the outlet. Running the air conditioner can be so expensive these days that you might root for a shorter summer. Fortunately, there are 5 easy things you can do to decrease energy consumption when yourun your AC.
Following recommendations like these little gems will allow you to keep more money in your pocket for summer fun AND simultaneously conserving natural resources. That’s a nice combination of advantages, yes?
Shut It Off Sometimes
First, don’t run the AC when you’re not home. Why are you paying for your air conditioner to cool your home while you’re at work? Unless you feel an overwhelming urge to maintain a seventy-two degree temperature for your houseplants, adjust the thermostat when you walk out the door in the morning. If you’re sickened by the idea of coming home to a blast furnace, you can buy a timer system that will allow things to kick into gear just in time to cool things for your return home every day.
Plant A Shrub
Second, protect your air conditioner from the heat. Air conditioners run far more efficiently when they’re not getting nailed by sun rays. If you can position your unit in the shade or provide shade with shrubbery, fencing or trees you can cut your energy consumption considerably. A word of warning, though. In order for the AC to do its job, it needs good air circulation. Protect your cooling system, but never do anything to restrict airflow.
Enjoy the Outdoors
Third, live a cooler life inside. If you’re acting in a way that increases the internal temperature of your home or apartment, the AC is going to need to work that much harder to keep things comfy. Stop running your clothes dryer when it’s hot. Consider a cookout instead of heating the oven to three hundred and fifty degrees. If you’re about to use a major appliance that generates heat, try to come up with an alternative.
Limit the Areas Cooled
Fourth, if you have rooms that you don’t really use, close the doors. Close the air conditioner vents. Don’t waste the cold air on an empty basement or guest room. No one is going to enjoy it and you’re certainly going to regret it when the electric company sends the monthly bill.
A Fan of Fans
Finally, become a fan of fans. Ceiling fans, box fans, oscillating desk fans and just about every other kind of fan you can find will help increase the effectiveness of your cooling system while using less energy than making up the difference with you air conditioner. The moving air feels good and the reduced size of your bills may feel even better. It’s true. The fans do use electricity. The amount required to operate them, however, is far less than what an AC unit will pull from the outlet.
By taking a few simple steps like these, you can reduce the amount of money you spend to maintain a comfortable house. Running the AC is never going to be dirt cheap, but you don’t need to spend a fortune to be comfortable in the summer.
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