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How to Optimize Cooling in the Home

Photo by: Bigstockphoto
Photo by: Bigstockphoto

The summer season is upon us, is your home ready for the rising temp? The key to making the most out of your air conditioner is to create an energy-saving home. Even if you leave your AC on all day (or night), you cannot keep a room cool if cool air kept escaping. And it takes enormous energy to cool a house so you want to make sure you have an energy-efficient space! To make your home summer ready, consider these tips:

Seal the Windows

This is a no-brainer: gaps in between the windows will let cool air escape from your home. If you want to maximize all that cool air from your AC, you need to seal all the windows and doors. You can do that by adding insulation to the attic and basement. You can also use caulking material to seal in gaps. Another quick fix is to stick rubber gasket in between gaps. The project might be extensive but you will enjoy as much as 10% savings on your energy consumption!

Seal the Ducts

While you’re at it, why not seal the ducts too? About 20% of air moving through a duct system is lost because of drafts, leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. Ducts could become holey or leaky as they age, creating gaps that are costing you hundreds of dollars extra on your monthly energy consumption.

Sealing and insulating your home’s duct system prevents cool air from escaping. It also improves air ventilation within the system. The result? A comfy living space during the hotter months! You can save as much as 10% on your energy bill every year with leak-free ducts. We also recommend caulking and sealing leaks within the plumbing system, electrical wiring, and light fixtures.

Install Blinds or Drapes

Direct sunlight can warm up a room, which raises the indoor temp higher. Installing blinds or drapes on the window prevents direct sunlight from streaming into your room and raising the indoor temps to sweltering! Even better, blinds and drapes make any space appear cozier! Keeping the blinds will also lengthen the life of your air conditioner, which is indispensable during the hot months!

Have Your Home Checked

If say, you’ve done all you could and still, the temperature inside your home is sweltering, maybe it is time to let a professional handle the problem. Energy Star recommends having your home assessed for energy efficiency by a certified technician. The technician could tune up your air conditioner, check your heating system and keep your cooling and heating systems running smoothly to reduce power consumption.

Do not Ignore the Filters

One of the most common causes of AC failure is accumulated dirt within its inner components. One way to keep your AC running smoothly is to have the air filters cleaned or changed regularly. Do not wait until the summer season to do this though! Have your AC checked before the summer season hits. Cleaning your AC’s filters regularly will reduce cooling costs and energy consumption by about 5% to 15%!  Have a technician check your AC at least once a year for maintenance.


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