Home Cooling Efficiency Tips for the Summer

Date: July 4, 2022

Simple Ways To Stay Comfortable and Save on Energy Bills

Summer can be a lot of fun, but that fun gets expensive quickly. Whether you’re planning a day trip to Martha’s Vineyard, a week-long vacation or a large backyard cookout with the extended family, you’ll find the expenses piling up.

And it’s not like everyday life in the Boston area is cheap. With inflation at its highest rate in 40 years, everyone’s looking for ways to save money. Luckily, we know a few easy changes you can make in your home that will noticeably reduce summer’s energy bills.

Use Those Fans

Ceiling fans, ventilation fans, box or standalone fans — all of them can lower your air conditioning use. Consider these ideas:

• Fans can effectively cool one or two people instead of using the A/C to cool an entire room.
• Running a vent fan while showering or doing laundry pulls humidity out of your home, and drier air feels cooler.
• Running a ceiling fan with your A/C keeps the cool air circulating. You’ll find you don’t need to keep your thermostat quite as low!

Keep It 78 — And Only If You’re Home

The U.S. Department of Energy has found that 78 degrees is the best indoor temperature to balance comfort and energy efficiency. Most people find it comfortable, and you’ll be amazed at how much electricity it saves.

When you’re out of the house, you can save even more cash by raising the temperature to 85. A programmable thermostat makes this a cinch.

Change Your Air Filters

Staying on top of your HVAC system’s air filters is crucial. It keeps dust, mold and other allergens from cycling through your ductwork and into your living spaces. Clean filters keep your HVAC equipment clear of debris that can harm its efficiency.

During the summer, dirty air filters stifle airflow, making your A/C work harder. This overwork can lead to higher electric bills and expensive repairs. It’s much easier — and cheaper — to check your filter a couple of times over the summer and replace or clean it, if necessary.

Keep Cool Air Where You Want It

There are a lot of small changes that can prevent comfortable air from escaping and hot air from getting in. These include:

• adding door sweeps to external doors
• re-caulking windows
• adding heat-reflecting window treatments
• adding weather stripping

You can also arrange ductwork sealing and an insulation overhaul. These steps will significantly reduce how much your cooling system needs to work.

Call in Cubby if Things Don’t Feel Right

Is your A/C struggling to keep your home comfortable? Have you noticed strange noises, odors, or fluid collecting by your equipment?

If so, you should call the friendly HVAC experts at Cubby Oil & Energy. We can handle any A/C repair. Don’t wait for your system to break down entirely. Chances are that your struggling equipment is costing you more in monthly energy costs. Plus, the longer you put off a repair, the more costly it’s likely to become.

Cubby Oil is ready to help — we’re just a call away. If you think your home’s A/C could be cooling you better, contact us today.