The extent of energy depletion in your home is not a fixed amount. Nor is it something you can’t do anything about. Summer peaks in electricity consumption are almost entirely due to the use of air conditioning. Staying cool consumes fully one-third of peak electricity usage during these hot months. It figures that reducing factors that cause energy depletion related to air conditioning is a worthwhile goal. Read on for some ways you can cut the amount of electrical power utilized to cool your house this summer.
Maintenance Is a Priority
A lack of annual AC maintenance typically means a decline in energy efficiency that, in turn, increases electrical consumption. Schedule a precision maintenance tune up with a certified HVAC contractor to ensure your system is prepared for the hot and humid summer months. Professional maintenance not only keeps electricity consumption low, it also ensures maximum cooling performance.
Reduce the Load to Reduce Energy Depletion
A home’s cooling load is the amount of BTUs of heat the air conditioner must extract to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. Certain factors, such as the square footage of the home and specifics of local climate, can’t be altered. However, there are steps you can take to impact cooling load.
- Check the house for air leakage. A qualified technician can test the house for structural leaks that allow hot air to infiltrate in summer, making the air conditioner run longer cooling cycles. If leaks are identified, a variety of methods can be utilized to seal leaks and reduce AC electricity usage.
- Evaluate the insulation. Heat energy radiating through the roof enters living spaces through the ceiling and can increase AC electrical consumption. Attic insulation is the material that resists it. An experienced HVAC contractor can evaluate the type, amount, and condition of existing insulation. If needed, new material can usually be installed atop existing layers.
- Shut out the sun. Most heat energy enters the home via sunlight. During hot daylight hours, close curtains and blinds. Also consider installing energy-efficient double-pane windows that filter out heat energy.
For all your home and business HVAC needs, contact the professionals at Jackson & Sons.
