There are a Few Simple Things You Can Do to Get the Most From Your AC

If the Long Island summer heat and humidity don’t make you uncomfortable, your cooling bills just might. But increasing your energy savings doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice comfort. Here are a few summer energy savings tips:

Keep A/C air filters fresh. Dirty filters restrict easy airflow in your system. This reduces the effectiveness of your air conditioner — and your comfort — and increases operating costs. Clogged filters can also compromise your indoor air quality. Check them every month or so.
Seal air leaks. Air leaks in your building’s shell, and in ductwork, are among the worst energy wasters in Long Island homes. Building leaks are often found around windows and doors or places where wiring or piping passes through the building’s shell. Don’t overlook attic leaks! Weather stripping, spray foam or caulk can help.
Seal ducts. Ducts in accessible areas like the garage, attic and basement can be sealed with an approved, specialized duct mastic. But behind walls and in ceilings can be difficult to reach. For a thorough duct efficiency evaluation, call T.F. O’Brien.
Set your thermostat for savings. By setting your thermostat a few degrees ahead when no one will notice, like at night or when the house is empty, you can achieve dramatic savings.
Run ceiling fans. The wind-chill factor will help you keep comfortable and may let you set your thermostat ahead even further.
Install high-efficiency equipment. There are many high-efficiency options to improve home performance. For instance, today’s high-efficiency air conditioners can save as much as 40 percent compared to systems only 10 years old. Ask about Energy Star-certified equipment. Even smaller upgrades, like switching to high-efficiency light bulbs, use less energy and emit less heat into your home.
Wash clothes with cold water. Running the washer with cold instead of hot water can save up to 4 percent.
Reduce dryer use. Line dry your clothes, or run the dryer only when it’s full.

These are general tip, but for personalized advice, call T. F. O’Brien for a home energy evaluation. We’d be happy to help you improve your comfort and your home’s performance.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about energy savings and other HVAC topics, click here to download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

T.F. O’Brien services the Long Island, New York area. To get started, get a quote from us or check out our special offers.