Perhaps more than any other season, winter is associated with the extremes that we see on the thermometer. When we finally see an end to those big drops in the mercury, we sometimes think the big utility bills are over. When Spring Cleaning is done and as summer’s heat builds into Clarksville, though, we see another jump in the power bill. While there’s nothing you can do to control the weather, you can certainly do some things to help your ac system make the best of things. Here are five tips for things to do this spring to save energy as summer rolls in.
Spring Cleaning & Maintenance
Your air conditioner worked all summer last year with no problems, so you might just assume that it will do the same this summer. What you may not realize is that your system probably worked a little less efficiently last year than it did the year before, and that performance is likely to drop again this year if you don’t do something about it.
Regular service for your heat and air conditioning will remove buildups of dust and dirt that burden the system and cause it to work harder. The technician may also identify parts that are starting to fail, giving you the chance to replace these energy wasters before they run up your power bill–or fail on the summer’s hottest day. (continue below)
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Keep Clear Space Around the Outdoor Unit
If your system runs on a heat pump, as most air conditioners do, it’s important to have good air circulation around the outdoor unit. When it has clear space around and above it, it will operate more efficiently. An outdoor unit that is blocked up with shrubs or other items will have to work harder to supply refrigerant to the indoor unit, consuming extra energy.
Keep the outdoor unit clear year-round. Trim any vegetation in the area. Make sure that you aren’t piling up scrap lumber around it or storing your gas grill nearby. Inspect the unit frequently to make sure that vines haven’t grown up into it. Look through the top to see if leaves or debris have been sucked inside. If they have, get a technician to come open the unit and clean it out.
Manage Window Blinds
One mistake many people make is forgetting to block out the sun when they can. Solar energy adds a lot of heat to a home, asking more and more of the air conditioner. We all love to have bright sunshine streaming in through windows and doors, but it can save a lot of energy to cut back on the amount of sun that you allow into the house.
No one expects you to sit in total darkness, but there’s no reason to heat up the house with sunlight in empty rooms or when nobody is home. Unused spaces should have the blinds drawn tightly, and the entire house should be closed up as much as possible when no one is home. It is possible to have sunlight when and where you want it without allowing unneeded heat into the house. Just manage your blinds to strike the right balance.
Landscape for the Long Term
While it’s costly to have shrubs or trees interfering with air flow around your outdoor unit, it is good to have shade on the house from a little further out in the yard. Your air conditioning system and the entire house are exposed to sunlight all through the summer, and the resulting heat pushes your power meter to record speeds.
A great move to ease the strain on your ac system is to plant some large shade trees in the yard. It will take a few years to see the benefits, but in time they will block some of the most intense solar energy and create a big impact on your energy costs. Planting trees on the south side of your house–at a distance sufficient for its mature size–will keep the house and the outdoor unit cooler and less expensive.
Seal It Up
No conversation about saving energy should forget the steps necessary to make the home weather-tight. Everybody talks about windows and doors, which are responsible for a lot of lost cool. At the same time, though, there are sneaky little drafts that can really add up.
Check those unusual places like access points for phone and data lines. Adjust door sweeps and thresholds to seal off the opening more tightly. Caulk around the dryer vent. Go into the attic and look for areas where the insulation may be out of place. Those little adjustments can go a long way toward lower energy costs.
Residents around Clarksville know how hot it can get in our part of the world. A little planning and preparation can do your energy bill a lot of good this spring.
Call an Experienced Professional if Your System is Malfunctioning
Do you have an extremely old system? Are you seeing or hearing things that weren’t there before? If you suspect that the system is not working properly, you should call a professional as soon as possible.
A few signs that the system is in trouble include abnormal noises or smells, an extremely cold home, expensive bills, and frequent shutoffs. Regardless of the concern, an experienced professional can solve the problem and perform the necessary repairs before an emergency occurs.
Prevention and maintenance costs are much more reasonable than having a costly repair later. Whether you live in Clarksville, TN or somewhere close by, the professionals at DOC Heating and Cooling are ready to help. The highly-trained technicians are available 24/7 for emergency calls and for regular maintenance to help keep your heating & cooling system running smoothly.
Schedule an Appointment Today!
Whether you live in Clarksville, TN or somewhere close by we are ready to help. Our highly trained technicians are available 24/7 to keep your heating & cooling system running smoothly.
