Here in our neck of the woods … um, I mean plains … winter (and even the majority of spring) is in the rearview mirror. You know what comes next.
Summer … and heat … and more heat.
This means that the energy we consume will not be used to warm our homes, but for something that we need quite a bit more of here in the Lubbock, Texas area – air conditioning. We can only shudder when we think of those energy bills climbing and climbing as the mercury in the thermometer keeps rising and rising.
So, energy efficiency is on the forefront of our customers’ minds. This means it is on the forefront of our minds, as well. There are many things that you can do to improve your air conditioning system’s energy efficiency this summer, including replacing an older system (especially those manufactured before 1992) with a newer, more-efficient model. If that is not an option, Armstrong Plumbing, Air & Electric recommends that all of our customers check out these energy-saving tips.
- KEEP UP WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE – We can’t stress this enough. By adhering to a regular HVAC maintenance schedule, you will not only improve and maintain your system’s energy efficiency, you can cut down on the need for costly repairs or replacements. Your home’s system should be inspected at least once per year by a licensed professional, so call our Lubbock air conditioning service technicians for a thorough inspection of your system.
- YOUR WATER IS PROBABLY TOO HOT – The good folks at energy.gov estimate that 18 percent of the energy consumed in the average home comes from heating your water. So, turn down the thermostat on your water heater to the warm setting, which should be around 120 degrees or slightly below.
- DON’T COOL AN EMPTY HOUSE – When you are not at home, your air conditioner’s thermostat does not need to be set as low as when you are actually there. If it is too warm to completely turn off the system while no one’s home, at least turn it up a couple degrees to conserve energy. With that in mind, it might also be a good idea to …
- INSTALL A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT – If you don’t want to be bothered with having to manually adjust your thermostat, a programmable thermostat could be a convenient answer. You can set the temperature where you want it for various times of the day – when no one’s home, or at night, for instance – and the thermostat will automatically regulate it. Not only can this lead to improved comfort control, but studies show that a programmable thermostat could save hundreds of dollars per year in utility bills.
- LOVE YOUR CEILING FANS – Ceiling fans do not cool the air in your house. But they can cool the people in the house by rapidly circulating the air, which creates a wind-chill effect. Make sure you have your ceiling fans set to turn counterclockwise- the resulting breeze will allow you to turn up your thermostat a few degrees without sacrificing comfort.
We hope you find the energy efficiency tips helpful and, as always, call Armstrong for all of your Lubbock air conditioning needs.
