The key to maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home is to have an HVAC system that is energy efficient. We recommend that you service your cooling system before summer. Our HVAC system technicians will perform a thorough inspection to determine if your air conditioner is performing within the energy efficiency rating for your unit. Routine maintenance is one of the best ways to maintain energy efficiency. In addition, routine service can help you avoid costly emergency repairs.
Five Inventive Ways to Keep Cold Air Inside on Hot Days in Edwardsville, IL
In addition to installing an energy efficient HVAC system in your home, there are several things you can do to help increase the HVAC system efficiency. Some simple steps at home can reduce energy costs by helping your HVAC system operate more efficiently.
Install Blackout Curtains — Closing your blinds or curtains is an easy way to block the sun from shining into your home. When the sun shines through the windows in your home, it can increase the temperature inside your house. The HVAC system has to work harder to cool your home; thereby decreasing the HVAC system efficiency. Using blackout curtains can save more money on utility costs by blocking even more of the sun’s hot rays.
Change Your Bed Sheets — Your bed sheets can make a significant difference in your comfort level at night. Fleece blankets and flannel sheets are perfect for staying warm on cold winter nights, but these materials can make sleeping very uncomfortable in Edwardsville, IL during the summer. Swap your winter sheets for cotton or other natural fibers. Also, swap your pillows for ones that are filled with buckwheat hulls because buckwheat pillows do not hold body heat like conventional pillows. You can also use a programmable thermostat to increase energy efficiency by turning off your air conditioner at night when it is cooler outside.
Cook Outside — It may sound crazy, but grilling outside during the summer can keep your home much cooler. Using your stove or oven during warmer months increases the temperature in your home. Take advantage of the warmer weather to grill your meals outside. Remember, you can also grill your side dishes so that you do not need to use your oven or stove at all to make a delicious meal for your family.
Change Light Bulbs — Making the switch to compact fluorescent lamps or CFLs is a wise investment. In addition to saving money on your utility bills, CFLs will not create as much heat in your home. Traditional incandescent bulbs waste as much as 90 percent of the energy they use in the heat the bulbs produce. CFLs are a much more energy efficient choice for your home.
Disconnect Unused Appliances — Small appliances and other electronic gadgets emit heat when they are plugged into electric outlets, even when they are not being used. Consider unplugging small appliances when they are not in use, including unplugging the appliances at night. It might not be a huge reduction in heat; however, every few degrees you can drop the temperature in your home during the summer, the more you can increase the HVAC system efficiency.
B & W Heating and Cooling is your source for commercial and residential cooling solutions. Contact our office to speak with an Edwardsville, IL HVAC system expert to learn how we can help you stay cool while avoiding high utility costs.
