Eight Summer Energy Saving Tips for Your Massachusetts Home

Summer’s almost here – and with it come summer air conditioning bills. Here are 10 ways to stay cool and keep those bills under control this summer:

1. Manage the flow of cool air – Close vents in unused areas – especially ones that tend to be cool anyway (your basement, for example). If you want a higher tech solution, try installing a zone control to separate cooling areas of your house such as entertainment and sleeping spaces. If you have a ductless system, take advantage of its zoning capabilities.
2. Clear the front of your vents – You want cool air in your room, not on the back of your sofa! Move any furniture that obstructs airflow from your vents.
3. Keep it cool, not cold – Keeping your air conditioner a moderate 78 degrees will help you balance performance and comfort. What makes you feel relief from the heat is the contrast between the temperature of the air outside and inside your house, not the number on your thermostat.
4. Use your programmable thermostat – Turning your AC down when you’re not home or sleeping can cut your bills by 10 percent – and nothing makes that easier than using a programmable thermostat. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, get one: it will pay for itself in as little as one cooling season.
5. Maintain your AC – Your air conditioner works hard to keep your home cool, and that hard work takes a toll in the form of decreased efficiency over time if you don’t maintain it properly. Stay on top of routine annual maintenance – resist the temptation to skip a year.
6. Check your ductwork – Did you know that you could be losing one third or more of the cool air your air conditioner produces before it ever reaches the vents? Air leaks in your ducts can be a real problem – and duct sealing is the solution.
7. Install light-reflecting window treatments – Minimizing the greenhouse effect with window treatments will make your AC’s job easier – which means lower bills, less maintenance, and a longer life span for your cooling system.
8. Use ceiling fans – Moving air feels cooler (think of a summer breeze) – so running your ceiling fan in tandem with your AC can allow you to run your AC a little warmer with no change in comfort. That can save you hundreds of dollars in a cooling season.

Want another great way to save energy this summer? Upgrade to a new high-efficiency cooling system! We’ve got great specials that will help your new system pay for itself in just a few years – contact Needham for a FREE estimate today!