July is Air Conditioning Appreciation Month

July is Air Conditioning Appreciation Month

Prepare Your Home for Hot Weather

Setting your air conditioner 5 degrees higher will save up to 20% on cooling costs.
Use fans to make indoor temperatures feel cooler, most ceiling fans use less energy than a light bulb.
Have your A/C unit serviced to cut up to 15% of your cooling cost.
Don't try to cool the great outdoors! Seal cracks, gaps, leaks and add insulation and/or radiant barrier to save up to 20% on home cooling cost.
Investments for Summer Energy Savings

Have your ducts professionally sealed to save up to $190 per year.
Install programmable thermostats and only cool the house when you're home-it can save up to $180 a year!
Replace incandescent light bulbs with CFL's or the new LED's to save on lighting AND cooling bills. 90% of the energy used by old incandescent bulbs produces heat, NOT light.
If your old AC breaks down, consider a high efficiency replacement. Replacing a 10 year old central AC unit with an Energy Star qualified model can cut 20-40% off your cooling costs.
Choose a Programmable Thermostat That's Right for You!

To decide which model is best for you, think about your schedule and how often you are away from home for regular periods of time-work, school, and other activities. Then decide which of the three different models best fits your schedule.

7 day models are best if your daily schedule tends to change, say if children are at home earlier on some days. They give you the most flexibility, and let you set different programs for different days.
5+2 day models use the same schedule every weekday, and another for weekends.
5-1-1 models are best if you tend to keep one schedule Monday through Friday, and another schedule on Saturdays and Sundays.
A/C Filters - The MOST Important Maintenance Task!

The most important maintenance task that will ensure the efficiency of your air conditioner is to routinely replace or clean it's filters. Clogged, dirty filters block normal air flow and reduce a system's efficiency significantly.
Some types of filters are reusable; others must be replaced. They are available in a variety of types and efficiencies. Clean or replace your filters every month or two during the cooling season.