Summer time often means the highest energy bills of the year and a good portion of that is from cooling your home. High energy bills don’t have to be a part of summer though, follow these tips to lower your bills.

• Reduce the heat in your home

  Take a look around your home. Every appliance from the stove to the refrigerator outputs excess heat. Try to reduce the use of major appliances like the oven or dishwasher until the evening or early morning. Even electronics can out put extra heat, so turn off your computers and televisions when not in use. Not only will the heat be reduced but you’ll save money on their energy consumption as well.

• Use an exhaust fan when showering

  A simple exhaust fan in the bathroom can help alleviate some of the moisture and heat generated when you take a shower.

• Keep the shades drawn

  Keep the shades drawn during times they receive direct sunlight. If possible, building a awning over the window can help as well.

• Install a programmable thermostat

  If you find that you are gone from your home for large time spans through out the day, invest in a programmable thermostat. It will allow you to set the temperature of the house to be a little higher while you are gone, reducing the energy needed to cool your home.

• Seal your heating and cooling ducts

  Forced air ducts can lose efficiency fast if not properly sealed. Sealed ducts help the air get to where its needed with less effort, saving you money.

• Insulate duct work

  Start with areas of your house like the attic or unfinished basements or crawlspaces where the temperature is higher than the livable space.

• Change your air filter regularly

  Clogged air filters reduce the air flow from the AC. A regular changing of air filters can help keep your HVAC system running smoothly for increased energy savings.

• Consider installing ENERGY STAR qualified heating and cooling equipment

  There is no denying modern HVAC systems are more energy efficient than their predecessors. Depending on where you live, replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with ENERGY STAR qualified equipment can cut your annual energy bill significantly.

Of course you can always contact us here at Central Mechanical Services and we can help you decide the best course of action to reduce your cooling energy costs.