Summer may be winding down on Long Island, but there are still plenty of hot days to come. New York can have sweltering days well into the latter half of September. We’re also far enough through summer that you’ve had time to see your energy bills for June and July, and you might not like what you’re seeing. It’s possible your energy bills could be lowered in the future by avoiding some common home cooling mistakes, which we’ll discuss below.
Maximizing The Efficiency of Your AC
Many houses and apartments on Long Island still utilize window AC units. When you’re looking to maximize their efficiency, it may sound counterintuitive, but keeping the AC running rather than turning it off when you leave the room or run out for an errand or two may actually save you money. Not only that, but it can also improve the overall comfort of your home.
When you turn off your AC unit for a time and then come back to turn it back on after 90 minutes or so, your AC unit now has to use more energy and work harder to bring the temperature of the room back down again. This is a different story if you’re going to be out all day at work, but if you’re just taking short trips or leaving a room for a short period of time, you might save a little money and feel more comfortable in the process. Also, make sure the window unit is the appropriate size for the room it’s cooling to avoid excessive power use as well.
Proper Use of Your Thermostat
If you have central air conditioning, avoid the temptation to drastically lower the temperature to cool your home faster; it doesn’t work that way. This habit actually uses more energy. Instead, maintain a steady setting in the mid to high 70s during the day to keep your home cool without overloading your system
Avoid frequent thermostat adjustments, which can waste energy. And don’t forget to close vents in unused rooms. This can reduce the strain on your system and help it operate more efficiently.
Keeping Up to Date with AC Maintenance
Basic AC maintenance practices will save you money in the long term. If you are not changing filters regularly for your AC unit, it will work harder and thus require more electricity. Never cleaning fins and coils on HVAC equipment will do the same. Your home’s walls may also need updated insulation, and while that can be an investment, it will save money over time.
Express COD Is Long Island’s Trusted Source for Affordable Home Heating Oil
It may still be on the warmer side today, but the cold winter months are right around the corner. Thankfully, Express COD, a division of Long Island’s trusted Tragar Home Services, provides discounted oil-on-demand delivery services where you can log in and place orders at any time on any day. Contact us today and let us know how we can utilize our excellent prices, speedy delivery, and excellent customer service on your behalf.