Simple energy-saving tips to consider for your home before summer hits

As the weather starts warming up and you switch on the air conditioner, it’s common to see spikes and surges in energy usage. Before the summertime heat of North Carolina summers fully sets in, it’s wise to be proactive and take simple steps to help save energy in your home. Fortunately, you can keep your home cool in several effective ways while saving on energy costs.

Here are just a few of the things you can do to improve your home’s efficiency.

One of the best ways to prepare for warmer weather is to get your air conditioner serviced in the spring. You should service your system twice a year—your air conditioner in the spring and your heating system in the fall—to ensure it performs its best and to prevent more expensive costs down the road. It’s a great idea to put this on your task list alongside the rest of your spring maintenance needs.

The U.S. Department of Energy says just replacing a dirty filter can lower your A/C’s energy consumption by 5 to 15 percent. A good HVAC crew will also check and clean your evaporator coil to ensure it performs at its best. Remove debris and foliage to give the condenser adequate airflow, which can increase its efficiency and help your system perform optimally.

When the weather is still mild, make it a point to open the windows of your home to air out your home and create a natural breeze. This simple action allows you to naturally cool your home before you’re ready to turn on an air conditioner. Make sure to do this when the temperatures are mild. If you struggle with allergies, this is one tip you may want to avoid.

The U.S. Department of Energy reports using ceiling fans allows you to raise your thermostat by four degrees without reducing your comfort. In the summer, run the fan counterclockwise. This simple habit can lower your electricity bills and maintain your comfort level.

Programmable thermostats can help you reduce your energy costs by around 10 percent just by programming your temperature to a higher setting when you’re away from home. However, an even smarter option is to install a smart thermostat in your home.

Today’s smart thermostats, like the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium or the Google Nest, have features that learn the routines of those who live in your home. The thermostat adjusts to those routines and can even monitor the air quality in your home. These thermostats can save 10 to 15 percent on your overall heating and cooling costs.

When the heat starts to rise, one easy way to keep your home from taking on that heat is by installing energy-efficient window treatments. The U.S. Department of Energy says that 76 percent of sunlight that hits standard windows enters the home as heat. Closing blinds, shades, and curtains keeps the heat out while lowering energy costs.

It’s also a good idea to bring sunlight into specific areas of the home. If you have energy-efficient windows, daylighting with windows and skylights means you can brighten your home and switch off artificial lights without a major impact on your power bill.

If you have spots in your home where air is leaking, it may significantly reduce the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. For example, leaky ducts can account for nearly 30 percent of your air conditioner’s energy consumption and can reduce its efficiency by 20 percent. Sealing and insulating ducts will increase their efficiency and lower your bills.

You’ll also want to use low-cost caulk to seal cracks and any other openings in your home. Leaks can also lead to higher bills and more energy consumption, so be sure to take them seriously.

A great way to get a specific plan of action to save long-term costs in your home is to hire a professional energy auditor. This assessor goes room-to-room looking for sources of energy loss and will prepare a report that shows you the actions you can take to reduce your energy consumption.

Your auditor will likely make recommendations that look similar to what’s outlined in this article. However, the audit will uncover specifics and provide you with recommendations specific to your home and its needs. In addition, your audit may qualify for a tax credit of up to $150 thanks to the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Be sure to use a qualified home energy auditor to receive your tax credit.

Take advantage of these simple tips before summer is officially here. And if you have additional tips, feel free to share them in the comments below.

The Jim Allen Group provides access to information on this blog/website as a public service for educational purposes only. Although reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all of the information made available is current, accurate, and complete…[read more]