4 Tips To Help You Spend Less On A/C This Summer

4 Tips To Help You Spend Less On A/C This Summer

It’s FPL’s favorite time of the year again – Summer. That means beach days, sundresses, and high electricity bills.

Air conditioning is the number one way to overcome the stifling Florida heat. Coming home from work to a cool home is an incredible feeling – until you get the electricity bill at the end of the month.

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to stretch your air conditioning further.

4 Cost-Effective Ways to Help Your A/C Keep You Cool

If you want to be comfortable with both the temperature and your A/C costs, consider these four cost-effective strategies for spending less on staying cool this summer.

Check Window and Door Seals

Proper sealing is essential to keep cool air inside and hot air outside. However, over time, weather stripping can wear out and become damaged.

Check the edges of your home’s windows and doors for any gaps and cracks where air could escape, forcing your A/C to work harder to balance the temperature as it leaks cool air.

If you notice any drafts or light leaking through gaps, it may be time to replace the seal. Thankfully, weatherstripping or adding caulk to seal gaps are both inexpensive ways to improve your home’s insulation.

Replace Your Air Filters

A dirty or clogged filter can restrict airflow throughout your home, making it more difficult for your air conditioning unit to effectively cool the house and increasing your energy consumption and costs.

If you have pets or allergies, you should check and replace your air filters regularly – every one to three months, depending on how often you’re using your A/C system.

You can also improve your air filter’s performance by opting for high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters or other filters recommended by your A/C manufacturer.

Use Fans

Portable fans and ceiling fans can help reduce the load placed on your air conditioning unit by increasing the circulation of cool air.

If you set your ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise during the scorching summer heat, they’ll create a breeze as cooler air is pushed down. You’ll feel cooler without changing your thermostat, allowing you to maintain a higher temperature and use less energy.

You can also add portable fans in the rooms you spend the most time in to create a cooling breeze that helps you stay more comfortable without A/C.

Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Windows

Energy-efficient windows are designed to minimize the amount of heat exchange that happens as a result of sunlight or temperature differences in the air. While you can also use blinds or shades to keep the sun out, windows made with low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings will reflect more sunlight and UV rays to reduce heat gain.

Double-glazed or triple-glazed windows composed of multiple panes of glass with insulating glass in between are a great option that can offer better insulation than single-pane windows and maximize your energy efficiency.

Navigate the Hot South Florida Market with Great Florida Homes

Now that you know how to keep comfortable during the dog days of summer, you’re ready to live in South Florida.

Our team can help you find the perfect home, complete with energy-efficient windows and plenty of ceiling fans, to make Florida your year-round paradise.

Looking to sell? We’ll help you appeal to South Florida homebuyers so you can get the maximum return on your investment.

Talk with an agent today!