Save Money in the Heat of the Summer

The major challenge at the height of summer is to ensure that it is cool enough to prevent discomfort and enable everyone in the office or house to remain cool, while at the same time making sure you are not wasting expensive energy on your air conditioning system.

Ensure that your air conditioning units are serviced and in perfect working order, and also ensure that you do a few simple things to make them operate more efficiently. Air conditioning units should be serviced regularly, preferably two times a year, by qualified air conditioning technicians. Regular maintenance may be considered an unnecessary expense but consider how expensive it would be to have to replace the entire unit because of poor maintenance. Similarly, make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions on replacing system filters if you want to ensure longevity for your system.

Before turning on the units for summer check the vents. Make sure that any internal vents or grills within the home or office are not blocked by curtains, blinds, carpeting and other debris or your unit will have to work harder, thus consuming more energy. For example, potted plants are frequently stuck on vents next to the window in offices, so make sure they are removed before switching on air conditioning this summer. 

Also ensure that external vents are clear from blockage, especially if they are at low level and easily obstructed. Remember to take frequent tours around your building throughout the summer, checking that vents have not subsequently become blocked.

Set your thermostat at a comfortable but reasonable level, but not 'Arctic' settings. The cooler you set the thermostat the harder your system will need to work to achieve that temperature, but you will also need to ensure that everyone in the building is comfortable.

Contact AC by Florida Comfort Systems

Denny Martin
Air Conditioning by Florida Comfort Systems
3945 Toll House Drive, Unit #907, Naples FL 34114
239-774-5501
We are on call 24/7/365
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Precool To Save Money

Air conditioner use accounts for as much as 40 percent of a typical household’s summer energy consumption. You can manage your cooling costs by precooling your home during hours when the price of electricity is low, then using less air conditioning during higher priced hours. Many Power Smart Pricing participants have shared stories of their success with precooling, saying it’s an easy way to manage air conditioning costs while keeping their homes comfortable.

To precool your home, simply run the air conditioner in the evening, overnight and during the morning hours when electricity is cheaper. Then increase your thermostat temperature setting or turn off your air conditioner during the afternoon. The goal is for your air conditioner to idle during the highest priced times, especially between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

The graph below illustrates this precooling strategy and the table lists recommended thermostat temperature settings for each precooling phase.

 Precooling is easy, although you may have to experiment to find what works best for your house and your comfort level. Of course, the effectiveness of precooling will depend on the outside temperature, humidity levels, and the insulation in your home. You can make precooling more effective by shading south facing windows during the day to minimize heat from the sun. And if you have a programmable thermostat you can set it to help you precool automatically.

Call me today and I will personally visit you and discuss A/C cost cutting ideas with you.

Denny Martin
Air Conditioning by Florida Comfort Systems
3945 Toll House Drive, Unit #907, Naples FL 34114
239-774-5501
We are on call 24/7/365
visit our website