NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The heat is rising, so your air conditioner usage will be, too. There are some simple things you can do to save money.
Late May often feels like summer is already here in the Central State. The days of running heating are now over until the fall, but using air conditioning can be very expensive.
The hotter it gets, the more frequently your AC system will have to run. NES suggests setting your thermostat between 76-78 degrees. Although this may be too warm for some people during the summer, setting your thermostat above 72 can help significantly.
“Even a few degrees higher than the most comfortable setting is a step in the right direction,” an NES spokesperson told WSMV4.
Since cooling makes up a large portion of home electrical use, NES suggests keeping your outdoor unit free of debris and grass clippings, maintaining your HVAC system every year, and making sure to clean or replace air filters regularly.
Your water heater is usually the second largest component of your energy bill. You should service this every year as well to clean the filter of any debris. Taking cold showers and using cold water to wash clothes can save you money.
If you maintain a higher temperature to avoid constantly running the air conditioner, you can run a ceiling fan to keep you cool. All you have to do is make sure it is on the right setting.
During the summer, the ceiling fan blades should rotate counterclockwise so that air is pushed downward to produce cool air. There is usually a switch on a ceiling fan that allows you to easily change the direction of rotation of the blades.
NES also suggests keeping curtains and blinds closed on the sunny side of your home to keep out heat in the summer. Open it on the shaded side to get a free light source. In winter, keep curtains open during the day to allow direct sunlight to generate warmth. Close it at night to preserve heat.
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