With summer just a couple of days away, the month of June started off feeling like we were in the middle of July in Texas. The next few days are no exception to the rule as well for Austin Texas weather. Residents around the area, including Kyle and Cedar Park, have seen triple digit readings every single day for the past two weeks with no end in sight. As the hot summer rolls on, many have concerns about potential outages that can leave many without cool air in their homes. Although officials have assured the public that the power grid is ready to handle the demand, it’s still a good idea to conserve energy. This can help take some of the workload off the power grid while you and your family stay cool.
Whether you have an HVAC system or an air conditioning window unit, optimizing it can go a long way to conserving energy. A qualified technician can inspect the HVAC unit for any needed tuneups. Moreover, doing a thorough cleaning can also help maximize the cooling power of the system. Otherwise, a dirty HVAC system could work overtime to cool your home, which wastes more energy and money. The technician will be able to tell you if you need AC repair Austin or even replace the system for better performance.
Your main goal is to keep your home nice and cool. One way to conserve energy in the summer is to use shade to your advantage. In fact, shade can lower the temperatures helping your AC cool your home much faster. When it comes to providing shade around your home, we recommend awnings for your windows. You can also plant trees around your home to provide shade as well. However, if you do plan to use trees for shade, it would be best to plant them at least 15 – 20 feet away from the house. Planting trees anywhere on the west side of the property can help block some of the sun’s heat as it begins to set in the afternoon.  Â
Fans are other great alternatives that you can use to help conserve energy as you endure those hot temperatures. Fans can be used as a complement to your HVAC system or air conditioning window unit. If placed properly and with the right setting, you can maximize the air circulation inside the house. You can use both ceiling fans and floor fans to get the most out of the cold air being circulated. During the summer months, your ceiling fans should be set in a counterclockwise direction since hot air rises. This will keep the hot air away from the living space or floor level in your home.
The thermostat is probably the most important factor that can help to optimize your energy consumption. You have to set the thermostat to a setting that allows your air conditioner to shut off and on throughout the day. Ideally, you want to set your AC unit at a comfortable level where it’s not too cold during the day. The best AC temperature for energy saving can range anywhere between 75 – 78 degrees Fahrenheit, especially during the afternoon hours of 2pm – 6pm. The HVAC unit will automatically shut off once it has reached those temps in the home. Try to resist the urge to turn the unit on as this can have negative effects on energy conservation.Â
If you’re not at home, you can leave the thermostat around the 78- or 80-degree mark. On the other hand, if you are at home, this is when you want to keep yourself cool while saving energy. Besides leaving the thermostat on a stable setting, there are a couple of other things you can do. Although some believe that closing doors and shutting vents can help keep a home cool, it actually has the opposite result. Remember that you want to have sufficient air circulation in your home, and closing off vents in rooms that are not being used can put extra workload on the HVAC system. This could cause an air leak in the ducts. The pressure that builds up can eventually lead to a failing cooling system that will need HVAC repair. The best thing to do is to leave the vents open so that cool air can flow smoothly. A homeowner can also consider air duct cleaning to improve air flow in the duct system helping to clear any obstructions.  Â
The hottest time of the day is usually around 3 or 4pm in the afternoon. In order to keep cool air in and hot air out, you can close the blinds around the house. This can be done any time in the afternoon. Make sure that you close your curtains and drapes to prevent any heat from seeping indoors as well. Any heat that comes through the window can quickly heat an up room in a matter of minutes. You may also want to plan your meals ahead of time. Try using the stove during the morning or evening hours when it’s much cooler. You can make sandwiches, salads or something fast that doesn't require a lot of time on the stove.
Lights can certainly play a part in emitting heat in a home. Although you may not notice it right away, lights will heat parts of a room, which can diminish your efforts to save energy. We recommend turning off any unnecessary lights. You can even opt for LED lights, which are much cheaper than your traditional incandescent light bulbs. The LED lights will use less energy to light up a room.Â
Rest assured that by following these tips, you will be able to save energy while staying cool and comfortable in your own home. You’ll be able to optimize your HVAC system and help to keep wasted energy at bay. You can see the difference in your monthly electricity bill within a couple of months. Start saving energy today as you enjoy the Austin Texas weather in the summer season. If you feel like something is wrong with your unit's performance, its always best to call Austin Heating And Air to solve the problem for you.
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