Handyman

Tips to Help You Stay Cool AND Save Money this Summer

Saving money by stretching your energy dollar is always a good idea, but with the dog-days of summer approaching quickly, here are a few reminders.

In Austin, your cooling system accounts for 60 to 70 percent of your summer electric bills. The best way to reduce your electric bill is to practice a few simple things.

Set your thermostat at 78 degrees in the summer Each degree cooler can increase your energy use by 6 percent to 8 percent. For instance, setting your thermostat at 72 in the summer could increase energy use by up to 40%

Keep debris, grass, plants, building materials and other obstacles away from your air conditioner’s outside unit so that airflow to the unit is not restricted.

Dirty filters make your system work harder and run longer than necessary. They also encourage the buildup of mold and mildew, making cleaning more difficult. Use at least 1” pleated filters or better. Skip the cheap fiberglass variety filters.

Shade your outdoor AC unit. Condensers shaded by trees and awnings use up to 10 percent less electricity.

Clean your AC condenser coils (outside unit) at the beginning of the season. Clean coils will lower your energy costs, and extend the life of the unit. The coils on the outside air conditioner unit can be washed with a hose. Coils on inside units may be difficult to reach and are best serviced by a trained technician. Have your heating and cooling system inspected at least annually by a trained professional.

If your AC unit is an older unit in the 8 to 10 SEER range, consider purchasing a new high efficiency unit. New models use up to 30-40 percent less electricity for the same amount of running time.

Insulation

Insulation is measured in R-values. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation resists the flow of heat. Many homes haves R-11 to R-15 insulation (or less), but need R-30 (approximately 5-6 additional inches depending on type of insulation).

A home with inadequate attic insulation can lose as much as 40% of its cool air. Because heat rises, as much as 60% of heat can be lost in the wintertime in poorly insulated homes.

Don’t leave a hole in the ceiling. A home’s attic access, such as a pull down stairway, if not properly insulated and sealed by a product such as the “Attic Tent,” will increase heat loss in the winter, heat gain in the summer and allows dust to infiltrate into your living areas.

Ducts in the average 10 to 15 year-old home leak 15 to 40 percent. Leaking ducts can affect the air quality in your home by sucking in and redistributing pesticides, fiberglass fibers and dust.

Ducts should be sealed with a mastic sealant, a putty-like material that can be purchased at hardware stores. Because of the Texas heat, the glue on traditional duct tape dries out and loses its adhesive quality.

Take Advantage of ABC’s Air Conditioning Tune-Up Special

ABC can fulfill all your HVAC needs. With an experienced staff of licensed air conditioning technicians, you can rely on ABC for all your air conditioning service needs.

Currently, we’re offering a pre-season, tune-up special: $89 – regularly $149. The check includes a full 21 point inspection and covers both the inside and outside portions of your cooling system. Call today for more information or schedule an appointment with us.

Snipe: $89 Special

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