When temperatures start to climb in Southwest Ohio, your number one priority may be to keep cool, though once summer utility bills begin to roll in, you may switch your focus to energy conservation. Take a look at these top five energy-saving myths, which can wind up costing you more in the long run.
1. A/C is the only way to beat the heat. Additional options include:
- Head down to the finished basement, where temperatures are naturally lower than upstairs.
- Plant deciduous shade trees on the south and west sides of your home to block the sun’s rays. (You may have to wait a decade or two for a payoff on this one.)
- Install energy-efficient windows, or close curtains or blinds during peak daylight hours.
- Use ceiling fans to supplement your A/C. When used in an occupied room, they make the air feel three or four degrees cooler, which allows you to turn up the thermostat by the same amount. (More on ceiling fans later.)
2. Turning the thermostat way down will cool your home faster. Unless your A/C has a variable speed air handler, the fan operates at one consistent speed; cranking down the thermostat won’t help you reach your set point any faster, and if you forget about it, your A/C will overwork itself trying to meet that low temperature.
3. Closing some of your vents will redirect the cold air to other rooms. When your system is called upon, it pumps the air evenly throughout your ducting network. By closing one or more vents the conditioned air will simply hit a dead end, and may place undue stress on your A/C through frequent on and off cycling.
4. Use ceiling fans to lower the room temperature. Ceiling fans keep people cool, as the air movement they produce evaporates perspiration on the skin, but they don’t cool the room; save energy by turning them off when you leave.
5. Turn off the A/C while you’re gone to save energy. Calling on your A/C to cool down a home that’s been left to heat up during the day places a great amount of stress on your system. Instead, install a programmable thermostat, and set it 7 to 10 degrees higher while you’re out, and program it to reach your desired set point by the time you arrive back home.
To learn more about energy-saving myths, and how to lower your energy bills during cooling season, call the experts at Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc., proudly serving homeowners in Dayton and the surrounding area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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