This summer, you are probably spending quite a bit of your budget on air conditioning. Americans spend around $10 billion a year on AC for their homes, and that number is only growing with the demand for air conditioning. We should all be concerned with this trend, not only because it is more money out of your pocket, but its harsh impact on the environment.
Fortunately, you can make your air conditioner more eco-friendly with some simple steps. By making a concerted effort to make your AC unit greener, you can reduce your carbon footprint while saving on your energy costs. Even if you don’t have a lot of time or money to devote to making your AC better for the environment, there are small steps you can take even right now that will make your entire HVAC system more eco-friendly.
Install Window Coverings
Window coverings such as blinds or curtains can make a big difference in the amount of work your air conditioner has to put in to keep your home cool. By keeping the sun out, it’s easier for your AC unit to cool your home, meaning it doesn’t have to use as much energy. When you leave your home during daytime, make a point to close all window coverings, paying particular attention to the south side of your home, where it gets the most sun. Even if you spend your days at home and want some natural sunlight, draw the east-facing side window coverings in the morning, and the west-side window coverings in the afternoon. The most effective window coverings are light-blocking or dark curtains, which could prevent up to 80 percent of the sun’s heat from entering your house.
Turn Off Appliances
Your home is much hotter when your appliances like your dishwasher or dryer is on, so use them strategically as to not make your home warmer during the hottest parts of the day. Use your major appliances either early in the morning, before the Colorado sun reaches it peak, or in the evenings after the sun has pretty much set. You could also switch to using a clothesline instead of a dryer, further reducing your energy costs.
Another major heat source in your home is your stove, which you probably know if you have ever tried using it during the summer. During the hottest months, avoid using your stove as much as possible. This is a great time to grill outdoors instead of inside your home, as not using your stove cuts your kitchen energy use in half.
Use Fans
One way to optimize your air conditioner’s environmental friendliness is by supplementing it with fans. Fans may not make a huge difference in cooling your entire home, but they do promote airflow, increasing the air conditioner’s cooling power in the hotter rooms in your home. Ceiling fans are ideal, but you can also use a portable fan to cool one room. You can also install an attic fan to spread the air conditioning more efficiently throughout the whole home.
In our next blog, we will continue to go over ways you can make your home more eco-friendly. In the meantime, whether you need air conditioning repair or installation, we can help you at Buckhorn Heating and Air. Contact us today!