Stay Cool For Less This Summer With These Tips

Posted: July 20, 2020

Whether the kids’ summer camp is closed this season or you have canceled vacation plans, many of us are trying to figure out how to make the best out of a bad situation. This includes trying to keep your home as cool and comfortable as possible while preventing our electric bills from going through the roof.

If you’ve already taken care of getting your annual cooling tune-up done, you’re ahead of the game. As you know, a properly maintained central air conditioning system will have fewer breakdowns than one that has been neglected. Annual maintenance also keeps your air conditioning equipment running at peak efficiency, which means your home stays nice and cool while using less energy.

Our cooling system service plans cover the cost of a yearly tune-up. You’ll also get priority service, and reduced or waived diagnostic fees and parts and labor costs, if your equipment does have a problem.

Energy Saving Tips For Home Cooling

Set your thermostat as high as possible while maintaining comfort. Remember that the most important factor in feeling cool is not the actual temperature of the room, but the contrast between the hot air outside and the cool air inside the house. During hot summer days, aim for an indoor temperature of about 78 degrees to get the best balance of comfort and cost-effectiveness. If that sounds too high, read our next tip.
Use a ceiling fan. A ceiling fan can make a room feel cooler just by moving air around, so when you use it together with air conditioning, you can set your thermostat higher than you normally would. The average ceiling fan uses about as much energy as a light bulb, so you can run one for just pennies a day.
Keep the area around your outdoor condenser free of debris and trim any foliage back at least two feet from your condenser. This allows your condenser to “breathe” and be more efficient.
Clean or change your air filter regularly. This simple step can increase your air conditioner’s efficiency by as much as 10-15% and increase the lifespan of your system. Normally, we would advise you to check your filter at least once during the summer. But this year, since your A/C system is experiencing more use than usual, we suggest you check the condition of your filter a few times. If you had a tune-up done this year, we started you off with a clean filter.
Consider getting your ducts sealed. It’s estimated that as much as 20% of the air you use to cool your home can escape through ductwork joints, elbows, and connections – especially in uncooled spaces such as attics, basements, or crawl spaces. A professional duct sealing from our team of experts will greatly minimize that cool air loss. Read more.

If you feel your cooling system is showing its age and straining to keep your home cool, consider an equipment upgrade. A new, high-efficiency air conditioner can save you 30% or more on your annual cooling expenses – enough to offset the cost of a new A/C in a short period of time, especially when you consider manufacturer’s rebates, 0% financing opportunities, and other incentives.

Take a look at our current special offer on any Daikin Fit A/C or Heat Pump system, in which you could save up to $1,000. Then contact us to request an evaluation of your current system and a FREE estimate.

We will do this while following all safety measures, including the wearing of gloves and masks and adhering to proper social distancing. We rigidly follow safe, contactless service and installation procedures.

Wilson Oil and Propane designs, installs and services air conditioning systems in homes and businesses throughout the Delaware Valley, including the towns of Media, Wallingford, Swarthmore, Springfield, Broomall and Newtown Square. Please contact us today to learn more about our efficient, affordable air conditioning solutions.