3 Low Cost Energy Efficient A/C Tips

While everyone appreciates a cool, comfortable home during the hot summer months here in Winnipeg, many consumers worry about the amount of energy expended by their air conditioning unit. The good news? You can have the best of both worlds with just a little consciousness and effort.

Here are 3 easy, low-cost tips and tricks to conserve energy and stay cool.

Turn Down the AC When You Aren't Home

Many people set and forget their thermostat, keeping their home cooled to 68-74 degrees consistently whether they're home or not. Considering most people spend at least 40 to 50 hours a week outside of the home, this results in significant wasted energy usage.

Instead, consider turning your air conditioning down when you're at work or otherwise away from home. A good guideline is to set the temperature to 85 degrees. This should generally keep the AC from running during the day and ensure you're able to cool your house within a reasonable timeline when you get home. If you have a programmable thermostat, you can set the AC to shut off around the time you leave in the morning and turn back on an hour before you arrive home. This gives you the luxury of arriving home to a cool house without allowing your AC to run all day.

Close the Vents Downstairs

If you have a two-story house, you will probably find that the lower level stays than the top story. If you are using central air to cool your home, close all the vents on the lower level. This keeps the much-needed cool air on the upper level of the house and requires less work from the air conditioner to keep the house cool. This means your unit will run less and your bill will be less.

Close the Curtains

Thermal blackout curtains are one of the best investments you can make in becoming more energy efficient. By keeping these curtains closed during the day, especially when you aren't home, you can prevent your home from heating up and prevent your air conditioner from having to run continuously to keep your home cool.

When you are home and want some natural daylight in the room, open the curtains on the side of the home that isn't subject to the direct heat of the sun. Keep the curtains closed in rooms that aren't used during the day, like bedrooms.

Contact Us for More Tips

For any and all air conditioning needs in the Niagara Region. Contact the experts here at Mr. Furnace Heating and Air Conditioning. We’re the local cooling experts since 1978!