Tips for Cooling Kansas City Homes While Enjoying Lower Energy Costs
August 23, 2023
Summer will be here soon, and Kansas City homeowners know what that means – running the air conditioner, and higher utility bills. As trusted KC cooling professionals, we have a few tips to help you enjoy a comfortable home, while lowering energy costs.
Have a whole-house fan? If you do, use it during times when the outside air is cooler than the air inside your home, such as at night time. These fans push out warm air through the attic, and pull cool outdoor air in. Be aware that because a whole-house fan pulls in air from the outdoors, your home (and your air filter and blower motor) will become dustier and dirtier, meaning you will need to do a bit more cleaning and change your air filter more often.
Seal air leaks to keep conditioned air in, and hot, humid outdoor air out. Even sealing the tiniest air leaks around windows or doors can make a difference. Also consider additional insulation in the attic or other areas that may not be adequately insulated.
Turn the thermostat up a degree or two. If you have ceiling fans in the rooms you use most often, they help circulate the air, making it feel cooler to your skin. Setting the thermostat up a degree or two won’t make a big difference in your comfort, but it will drop those utility bills!
Enjoy less humid air by using a whole-house dehumidifier. A whole house dehumidifier works in conjunction with your air conditioner, and helps remove humid air from your home – which means the AC will run less often. You will also be able to set your thermostat higher without sacrificing comfort.
Keep all appliances or electronics that create heat away from the thermostat. Television sets, lamps, or any appliances that create heat will make your air conditioner run longer when placed near the thermostat.
Close blinds and shades in windows that allow sunshine in. When the sun blares through the windows, it can really heat up your home. Block the entrance of the sun’s rays by closing blinds, shades, or other window treatments.
Don’t turn your thermostat down to a setting lower than normal to quickly cool your home when you come in from work or vacation. Switching the thermostat down to 60 degrees won’t cool your home any faster than turning it down to 74 degrees if you turn it way up while you’re away – but it will result in unnecessary expense. You may also want to consider a programmable thermostat so that you can program how you want your air conditioner to operate while you’re away.
Is your cooling system older than 12 years? If so, it probably isn’t as energy efficient as the new air conditioners available today. Energy Star approved appliances (including air conditioners) can save you as much as 60% on cooling costs!
If you haven’t had your HVAC system tuned up now is the time, before hot summer temperatures arrive. At Bob Hamilton, we’ve been providing customers with outstanding products and service for decades! We are your true total home comfort source, give us a call today.