Energy Efficiency Tips As We Transition to Fall

It’s been a summer for the record books this year in Connecticut – and if experts are right, the heat will probably last a while longer.

With everyone at home more than usual, your A/C will continue to work overtime to tame that heat, and your cooling bills will show it. If you want to keep those bills as low as possible in the late summer and early fall, here are some of the best ways to do it.

How to save energy at home:

1. Change (or clean) air filters regularly – A clogged air filter will make your air conditioner overwork to keep you cool, and both you and your equipment will pay for it. Check your air filter monthly, replacing or cleaning it (depending on the model) when needed.
2. Weatherize – Caulk and install weather stripping on windows and doors to keep hot air out and cool air in (it will do the opposite in winter). Don’t forget insulation, either: to learn more about where and how much insulation to add, check out these guidelines from the U.S. Department of Energy.
3. Do the “little things” – Keep doors and windows closed, keep shades down in sunny rooms to minimize the greenhouse effect, avoid using heat-producing appliances like ovens and clothes dryers, keep vents closed in unused rooms, use ceiling fans to promote airflow – anything that will take some of the load off your home cooling system.
4. Program your thermostat – You can save about 3-5 percent per day on air conditioning bills for each degree you raise the thermostat in cooling mode (or lower it in heating mode), says the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. When you’re home, target a temperature of about 78 degrees to get the best balance of comfort and energy savings.
5. Service equipment quickly – If your HVAC equipment needs service or a repair, schedule it as quickly as possible – the longer you put it off, the more costly the damage is likely to become.
6. Consider sensible upgrades – A new high efficiency air conditioner can save you 30 percent on your monthly bills compared to your older model, which means it will pay for itself in just a few years. Want an out-of-the-box way to save money on cooling (and even heating)? Add a super-efficient ductless air conditioner as a supplemental source of cool air in rooms that get a lot of use or tend to stay warm – that way you don’t have to run your central A/C unit on full blast to stay comfortable. Some ductless units include a heating element, providing cost-effective year-round comfort.

There’s a bit more heat on tap for 2020 – keep those cooling bills in check with expert cooling maintenance and air conditioner installations in Fairfield, Litchfield & New Haven Counties, CT. Contact Jennings Oil & Propane today to learn more.