10 Summer Efficiency Tips for Your MA Home

Summer 2019 is almost here, and soon you will be cranking up your central air conditioner or ductless mini-split system and enjoy the cool comforts of your Massachusetts home.

Just remember to do it smartly!

Here are 10 cost-effective tips to help you cool your home for less this summer.

1. Cool only the rooms you use – If you have central air conditioning, close vents in unused rooms, or consider installing a zone controller. If you have a ductless mini-split system, adjust thermostats or power off air handlers in rooms you use less frequently. Ductless systems can also be installed as supplemental cooling sources in particularly hot spaces – this allows you to turn down your central A/C in the rest of the house, saving energy and money.
2. Avoid using heat-generating appliances – Avoid using ovens, clothes dryers, and other heat-making appliances, especially on the hottest days.
3. Take advantage of your programmable thermostat – Run your house slightly warmer when no one is home: you can expect to save about 3-5 percent on air conditioning bills for each degree you raise the thermostat, says the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
4. Keep temperatures moderate – Remember, feeling cool and comfortable is always relative: when the temperature outside is blazing, a more moderate temperature inside will still bring cool relief. Target a thermostat setting of about 78 degrees when you’re home – a temperature the Department of Energy says represents the best balance of comfort and energy savings. Raise that setting by three to four degrees when the house is empty.
5. Use your ceiling fans – Ceiling fans are a great complement to your central A/C: with them circulating cool air, you can raise your thermostat by about four degrees with no loss of comfort. See #3 above for how much that can save you!
6. Be vigilant with your air filters – A dirty air filter cuts airflow, causing your air conditioner to overwork (and you to overpay for energy). Check your HVAC filter monthly, replacing or cleaning it when needed.
7. Consider Installing reflective window treatments – Window treatments that reflect solar heat can reduce your home’s cooling load. Check out this Department of Energy link to learn more about energy saving window treatments.
8. Maintain your A/C equipment – Routine A/C maintenance won’t just keep your equipment running better, it will also help prevent many repairs and lengthen the life of your equipment.
9. Insulate – Poorly insulated homes allow heat to enter through exterior walls, which needlessly taxes your A/C system and raises your cooling bills.
10. Consider sensible A/C upgrades – Home air conditioning systems lose efficiency over time, even if they’re well maintained. Replacing an air conditioning system that’s a decade old or more with a high-efficiency upgrade can save you 30 percent on your monthly bills – which means it will pay for itself in just a few years. Our HVAC experts can help you choose a cooling system that’s a perfect match for your home and lifestyle, with options available from quality manufacturers in all sizes and configurations. We’ll help you sort through your rebate options, too so you’ll get the most for your money.

Ready or not, summer is here: is your home cooling system ready? Contact FSi today for expert air conditioning service in our MA service area, or for a FREE, no-obligation estimate on a new high-efficiency cooling system for your Massachusetts home!

FSi Oil and Propane – your home air conditioning and HVAC experts in the Greater Springfield, MA area.