Is Your Home Summer Ready?

Summer has arrived and can really put the heat on electricity bills and put even the best air conditioning systems to the test.

“The Department of Energy says that almost 45 percent of a homeowner’s utility costs come from heating and cooling the house. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to help lower those costs, keep your system working as it should, and beat the summer heat.” Here are a few tips to keep in mind when summer temperatures start to sizzle:

• An air conditioner set at 70 degrees can cost twice as much to operate as one set at 78. Raise the thermostat by 2 degrees above its normal setting. You’ll still be comfortable, and your pocketbook will thank you.
• Set the thermostat to 80 degrees when you’ll be out of the house for several hours and lower it when you return. But don’t shut the air conditioner off; it’s less efficient to cool the house back down than to leave it set at a higher temperature.
• A ceiling fan uses about as much energy as a 100-watt bulb, but it can make a room feel up to eight degrees cooler. In summer, blades should turn counterclockwise, pushing air downward to create a cool breeze.
• Keeping windows closed and curtains drawn during the day can reduce cooling costs by 30 percent.
• Lights, computers and televisions all generate heat. Turn them off when they’re not in use.

Your best protection, however, lies in preventative maintenance.

It’s important to have your air conditioning system professionally inspected and cleaned a least a month before you’ll need to start using it.   At a minimum, turn it on and make sure it’s still running like it should.

Find out the manufacturer’s recommendations for maintenance on your type of unit. You can usually find it online and in your owner’s manual. In addition:

Create shade for the unit, but keep the area around the exterior condensing unit clear of leaves, bushes and other obstructions to ensure adequate airflow.

Clean or replace the air conditioner filter monthly. Clogged, dirty filters block air flow and make a unit work much harder. A clean filter can save up to 10 percent on your bill.

If your air conditioning system and/or components break down, a home warranty can help protect you from unexpected repair costs.