When the summer heat starts rolling in, everyone seems to have advice for keeping your home cool.
Some of these tips are smart. But others are about as helpful as watering your lawn during a thunderstorm. Taking the wrong suggestions can make your air conditioner work harder and your wallet a little lighter.
Here are three common summer energy myths and some expert advice on what really works to keep your home cool:
Myth #1: Ceiling Fans Cool the Room
A ceiling fan doesn’t actually cool the air. What it does is make you feel cooler by creating a breeze that helps sweat evaporate from your skin more quickly. Leaving it running when you’re not in the room will just run up your electric bill.
To stay comfortable and save on energy costs, run your ceiling fan while you’re using the room and try raising your thermostat a degree or two. Many homeowners find they’re still perfectly comfortable while giving their air conditioner a little break.
And remember to check the fan’s direction. During the summer, the blades should spin counterclockwise to push air down into the room.
Myth #2: Lowering the Thermostat Isn’t Faster
It is easy to think that setting your thermostat to 65 degrees instead of 72 will cool your house more quickly. In reality, your AC cools at the same rate no matter how low you’ve set it.
Setting the temperature dramatically lower simply tells your system to keep running until it reaches that temperature. That only increases energy use and places unnecessary wear on your equipment.
A better approach is to choose a comfortable temperature and let your system maintain it. Programmable and smart thermostats are another way to reduce energy use by automatically adjusting the temperature while you’re away or sleeping.
Myth #3: You Can Lower Bills with Tricks
Everyone wants to save money on their energy bills, so it’s tempting to try every tip you see on your social media feeds. But some of these tricks, like constantly adjusting the thermostat or closing vents in unused rooms, can actually make your HVAC system work harder.
Your AC unit is designed to keep your home at a steady temperature. Constantly changing the thermostat can reduce efficiency. Closing vents can also throw off your system’s airflow, putting extra strain on the equipment instead of lowering your bills.
If you really want to improve efficiency, follow this proven advice from HVAC professionals:
- Replace your air filter regularly
- Keep furniture away from vents
- Use blinds or curtains to block afternoon sunlight
- Schedule annual air conditioning maintenance
But if you’ve tried everything and your home is still too hot or your energy bills keep climbing, it may be time to call C & C Heating & Air Conditioning. Our experienced technicians can inspect your HVAC system and help you determine whether a repair or replacement is the best solution.
Call us at (586) 439-3319 or contact us online to schedule a service appointment.
