With the rising temperatures of summer hitting the Chicago area already, our air conditioning units are starting to work overtime to keep homes and offices cool. In order to beat the heat, many people assume the best option is to adjust the thermostat to below-freezing temperatures and just let the air conditioner run. However, if you want to save money on your energy costs during the brutal triple-digit heat that is sure to hit any day now, it’s important to remember some conservation tips when operating your air condition.
First, try not to set the threshold too low on your thermostat. For every degree you drop the temperature in your home below 78⁰, you increase your cooling costs exponentially. By keeping your house cooled to no less than 72⁰, you can save a great deal of money while maintaining a comfortable home environment.
To ensure the greatest efficiency from your air conditioning unit, inspect both the indoor and outdoor units. It is important that the indoor coil is cleaned because it is a magnet for dust, which, when left unchecked, can lead to poor operation. Our Chicago HVAC technicians can inspect and clean both indoor air conditioner coils and check for dirt build-up on outdoor coils to assure you save on energy costs by having the most efficient A/C service possible.
One way to keep cooling costs at a minimum is to sufficiently shade east and west facing windows in your home. This will keep too much sun (and therefore, radiant heat) from seeping into your home and forcing the air conditioner to work harder to cool the space. Also, try not to run bathroom or kitchen fans or a dehumidifier at the same time you have the A/C blowing. Each of these activities adds to the cooling load.
If you think your air conditioning system could be running more efficiently or you aren’t satisfied with the cost of your energy bills, call your local Chicago area air conditioning technicians for a service call, and start saving money while also assuring a longer lifespan for your A/C unit.
One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® of Elk Grove provides HVAC services for the cities of Elk Grove Village, Roselle, Park Ridge, Schaumburg, Chicago, and other cities in Illinois.